July 31, 1816 - Future General George H. Thomas (right) is born at Newsom's Depot, VA. Graduating from West Point in 1840, Thomas saw service during the Second Seminole War and the Mexican-American War. A deliberate and thoughtful commander, he was recognized as a good officer by his superiors. Though a Southerner, he elected to remain with the Union when the Civil War began in 1861. Branded a traitor by his family and fellow Virginians, he won an early victory at Mill Springs in January 1862. Seeing action with the Army of the Ohio and the Army of the Cumberland, he fought at Perryville, Stones River, and played a key role at Chickamauga. Given command of the Army of the Cumberland, he aided Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in winning the Battle of Chattanooga and Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman in capturing Atlanta. Ordered to defend Nashville in late 1864 from Gen. John B. Hood's army, he was criticized by Grant for being too cautious and slow. Attacking on December 15, he routed Hood destroying the Confederate army. Disdainful of politics, Thomas turned down a postwar promotion to lieutenant general as it meant dealing with Washington intrigues. Thomas died in 1870, while posted to the West Coast.
Photograph Courtesy of the National Archives & Records Administration
Comments