During the first months of the Civil War, the Union urgently needed heroes.
Fortunately for the patriotic Northern press, it did not have to look too far to find them.  Charles Henry Tompkins, a Virginian who remained loyal to the Union, emerged as an unexpected hero. He had dropped out of West Point in 1849, probably much to the chagrin of his father, Col. Daniel D. Tompkins, a distinguished Academy graduate.Young Tompkins did not stay away from the military for long. In the mid-1850s, he joined the cavalry as a private and received his military education on active duty on the western frontier.By the start of the war, he had returned East and ranked as a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry. On the evening of May 31, 1861, Tompkins set out with about 75 troopers to scout enemy positions and strength in the Fairfax Court House area. During the wee hours of June 1, he and his men encountered a small guard of Confederate pickets. Various versions of what happened next were reported, including a June 4 New York Herald report filed by a special messenger who claimed to have interviewed Tompkins. The reporter described Tompkins as a modest young man of medium height and build with an intelligent face, and added a personal observation: “He is just the man for a dashing enterprise gallantly executed.”The interview generally followed the accepted narrative. According to the messenger, “The picket guard consisted of three men. One was taken prisoner, and Lieutenant Tompkins said he would hang him if he did not tell correctly the number of soldiers.” The picket estimated a maximum of 150, when, in fact, the number was closer to half that many.Undeterred, Tompkins and his cavalrymen rode into town. He reportedly told the Herald, “The Court-House street turns at right-angles to the road. As our men rode round the corner a squadron of cavalry was soon drawn up in line across the street. A charge was sounded, and the line was broken, our men sweeping on. A company of infantry next appeared, drawn up on a cross street. They charged and broke them.” A third charge also succeeded before the rebels rallied and drove them off.“During the whole time of their presence, there was constant firing from windows and doors. Doors would open time enough for the discharge of a musket and then close,” the Herald messenger stated. “Two horses were shot under Lieutenant Tompkins. A third, his own, was shot in the neck, and fell upon him, bruising him slightly.” Other reports indicate he injured his foot.The Herald described one scene that inspired a Harper’s Weekly engraving in its June 14, 1861 issue. “One dragoon was shot by the side of the Lieutenant, but there was no opportunity to get him off. ‘But,’ said Tompkins, ‘I think even they will give him a Christian burial.’”