Approx. 2 1/4 x 2 in. 10k gold and 925 sterling silver XXII Corps star badge with gold ring inscribed, "Captain James L. Thomson, Co. B. 5th O.V.I.," surrounding scroll engraved regimental numeral "5." Each point of the star is inscribed with the name of a battle and corresponding date(s). Obverse includes: "Winchester / 1862 / Mar. 23"; "Pt. Republic / 1862 / June 9"; "Cedar Mt. / 1862 / Aug. 9"; "Antietam / 1862 / Sep. 17"; "Dumfries / 1862 / Dec. 27." Reverse includes: "Chancellorsville / 1863 / May 1.2.3"; "Lookout Mt. / 1863 / Nov. 24"; Rocky Faced Ridge / 1864 / May 8"; "Resaca / 1864 / May 15"; "Gettysburg / 1863 / July 1.2.3"; "Blues Gap Jany. 6 / 1862". The star is suspended from scroll inscribed, "Dallas, May 25 / 64." (Overall very good, with occasional tarnish throughout, engraving and scroll detail are clear and legible, missing hinged portion.)

In June of 1861, at the age of 28, James L. Thomson enlisted as a Sergeant and was commissioned into Company B, 5th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During his three years of service, Thomson was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (December 1862), 1st Lieutenant (January 1863), and Captain (March 1864). He was mustered out on 20 June 1864.

The 5th Ohio Infantry saw service in both Eastern and Western theaters of the conflict, first joining in the fighting throughout West Virginia, and then through the Valley Campaign of 1862, taking heavy losses at the Battle of Kernstown. It saw further action at Port Republic, where it captured a Confederate artillery piece as well as protected the Federal retreat, losing over 55 men. After several weeks engaging in light skirmishing, the 5th enjoyed a brief respite on the outskirts of Washington, DC, until July of 1862, when they were ordered to board rail cars and be transported further into Virginia. Barely two weeks later, the 5th participated in the Battle of Cedar Mountain, where their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John H. Patrick reported "...taking about 300 men into the engagement...and only about 150 came out at the close of the fight."

The regiment continued to serve with distinction at the battle of Antietam two months later, where it fielded its 180 remaining officers and men. The 5th was engaged in heavy fighting at the cornfield where its commander Major John Collins reported "...our regiment engaged a Georgia regiment in a hand-to-hand combat, using clubbed guns, a portion of the men having no bayonet..." and pressed the Confederate retreat to Dunker Church. The 5th would leave the engagement with only 124 able bodied men. Luckily, the regiment's orders to Fredericksburg, Virginia, were countermanded and it wintered in Dumfries, Virginia, where it handily repelled a raid by Confederate cavalry. It was further engaged on the Union right flank at Chancellorsville, where it endured another 82 casualties. 

The partially replenished regiment gained further glory at the Battle of Gettysburg, as it defended Cemetery Ridge. It was during this defense that it experienced fire from, as an officer reported, Confederate sharpshooters armed with "air rifles." After the Battle it was sent to quell the New York draft riots. It was later transferred to the Western Theater, and fought valiantly at Wauhatchie, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Mill Creek, Resaca, the Siege of Atlanta, Sherman's March to the Sea, the Siege of Savannah, and Bentonville.

The war-torn and weary 5th Regiment, after traveling over 1,375 miles by foot and 99 miles by rail finally returned home in July of 1865, suffering a total of 500 dead, wounded, captured, and missing throughout the war.