Peck was born in Burlington, Vermont. He attended local schools and was prepared to attend the University of Vermont when he opted instead to enlist for the Civil War.[1][2] He tried to enlist into the military on four previous occasions, but in every case he was turned down because he was too young.[3]
In late 1864 and early 1865 Peck assumed temporary command of a battalion in the 9th Vermont, and was then appointed acting regimental quartermaster and adjutant. In late 1864 he also served in New York City as part of a force sent to prevent civil unrest during that year's presidential election.[1] He then moved to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, XVIII Army Corps, serving as assistant adjutant general, aide-de-camp and brigade quartermaster.[5] In March, 1865 he was appointed assistant quartermaster of 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XXIV Army Corps. He was present at the capture of Richmond, and was among first to enter city after it fell.[3] Peck was mustered out in May 1865, having twice declined commissions in the regular Army.[7]
Medal of Honor action
He (Peck) received a medal of honor from Congress for gallantry in action at Newport Barracks, N. C., February 2, 1864.
On that day the Union troops, comprising some seven hundred and fifty men, with one piece of artillery, were attacked by the Confederate General Martin with about five thousand infantry, accompanied by fourteen pieces of artillery and four hundred cavalry, which had outflanked our small force from the commencement of the engagement. The left of the Union line lay near the river, while the right was in the woods and was commanded by 1st Lieutenant T. S. Peck, Company H, 9th Vermont Volunteers. The line was continually pressed back by the enemy, and made eleven different stands before reaching the Newport River, over which there were two bridges, one a railroad bridge, and the other called the "county bridge," located about a quarter mile above the former.
The Confederates pressed so closely that there was barely time to fire the railroad bridge with turpentine and tar. Lieutenant Peck, with his men, was ordered to fire the county bridge, and was told that he would find on the opposite side the bridge-head two companies cavalry with plenty of turpentine and tar for his use as soon as had crossed but the bridge must be burned at all hazards and the enemy prevented from crossing, for it was well known throughout the entire command that their salvation depended upon the burning of both these bridges; if either was left undestroyed and the enemy permitted to cross, the chances were that what was left of the Union forces would be captured.
Lieutenant Peck had made a desperate fight all the afternoon, and had been the farthest out toward the enemy the entire time, holding them in check until they had broken through the line on his left. At this time the Union troops had mostly crossed the railroad and county bridges, and were rapidly falling back down the county road toward Beaufort, while Lieutenant Peck's rear guard was hotly engaged with the Confederates who were close at his heels.
He had sent a noncommissioned officer to the bridge to see if everything was in readiness to fire the same after he had crossed it. The sergeant had just reported that there was no tar, no turpentine, and no cavalry; in fact, there was nothing—all had fled. Lieutenant Peck, leaving one half of his men with their officers fighting the enemy, with the other half ran down the hill to the bridge, determined to destroy the same if possible. Finding that some of the planks were not spiked down, he had these torn up, and, being fortunate in finding plenty of dry grass in the vicinity, which his men pulled from the ground, he had the same placed in readiness for burning the bridge, then ordered his men who were fighting to stop firing and rush across. This order was instantly obeyed, although some were killed and wounded in leaving the enemy, who came forward on the run, increasing their musketry fire.
As soon as our men from the hill had crossed the bridge, they commenced firing upon the enemy, while the others of the party ignited the dead grass.
The Confederates brought up a battery and poured in grape and canister, but the rear guard of the 9th stood to the bridge until it was destroyed and the enemy prevented from crossing. The river at this point, although narrow, was very deep, and the enemy was obliged to construct a bridge before crossing the stream, which gave the Union men an advantage of about three hours, and saved the command.
Medal of Honor citation
Citation:
By long and persistent resistance and burning the bridges, kept a superior force of the enemy at bay and covered the retreat of the garrison.[8]
Business career
He was the principal of T.S. Peck Insurance, a Burlington insurance agency that represented fire, life, marine, and accident insurers, and which is still an active agency.[9][10] T.S. Peck's client base grew throughout Peck's life, and included customers in both Vermont and Canada.[11] He was also involved in many other Burlington business ventures, including serving on the board of directors of the Porter Manufacturing Company, Baldwin Manufacturing Company, Burlington Shade Roller Company, and Powell Manufacturing Company.[11]
Their daughter Theodora Agnes Peck (October 25, 1882 – January 11, 1964) was a well-known poet and author. Her works included the 1900 poem A Dream of the Flag and three novels; 1907's Hester of the Grants: A Romance of Old Bennington; 1908's The Sword of Dundee: A Tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie; and 1914's White Dawn: A Legend of Ticonderoga.[30][31][32]