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| Source: | The Annals of Iowa |
| A Historical Quarterly. Volume Six - Third Series. Edited by Charles Aldrich, A. M. Published by The Historical Department of Iowa. Des Moines. 1903-5. Page 150. |
Several gentlemen in Benton county have recently started a subscription to provide a brass or bronze tablet to be placed, with the consent of the Board of Control, in the Asylum for the Blind at Vinton, to the memory of Captain Thomas Drummond. Previous to 1861 he was a well known editor and politician, and his claim upon the gratitude of his State and county rests upon the fact that, aside from his record as a soldier, he was the principal factor in the founding of the Iowa Asylum for the Blind. He was for many years editor of The Vinton Eagle, which he conducted with a good degree of ability. Drummond was one of the earliest Benton county men to offer his services to the government at the outbreak of the civil war. Through the efforts of United States Senators Grimes and Harlan, he was appointed second lieutenant in the famous Seventh cavalry. Governor Kirkwood later on appointed him lieutenant-colonel of the Third Iowa cavalry, with which, however, he remained but a short time. Returning to his old command in the regular army, he rose to the grade of captain, for some time ranking General Custer, who belonged to that regiment. He was mortally wounded in the battle of Five Forks, Va., when the fighting was practically over, and died a few hours later. At that time he was the senior officer of the regiment present and in command. He was a member of the Iowa house of representatives in 1858, and a state senator in 1860. It is most praiseworthy on the part of the people of Benton county thus to do honor to his memory. He was an able editor, a useful citizen in private life, an active and influential legislator, and a brave soldier whose brilliant young life was given to his country.
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