Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-10-03
General Thomas at the Battle Of Chick
amuu9a,

amuugR.
Major General George Henry Thomas, the
hero OF the recent contests near Chickamauga
creek. and who, by his gallantry, saved the
army OF the Cumberland from destruction
was born in Southampton county, Virginia.
on the 3lst of July, 1916. He is therefore a
little over torty-seyen years of age. He was
educated i'll his native state, and during the
year 1886, lie was admitted as cadet from
Virginia, into the military academy at West
Point.
We have but so recently given detailed
account OF the battle OF Chickamauga, that 1t
is only necessary merely to glance at General
TohmaS' connection Herewith. The troops
had been moved to their position along the
Chickamauga creek, and during the night of
the 18th OF September skirmiSh revealed the
fact that the rebel General Longstreet was in
General Thomas front. The next day the
fight came, and Thomas defeated Luugstreet
routing his command. On Sunday, Sept. 20,
the rebels attacked the whole Union force with
great fury, driving the center and left wing
until they broke to pieces.
Thomas held the left wing, and boldly con.
tronted the enemy. The onslaught upon his
command was fearful; yet he never lost his
coUlness, and when the day seemed at the
worst then he was far cooler than before. Our
correspondent thus speaks OF his conduct dur
ing the latter part Of the battle, when near
sunset on Sunday, the 20th :-''Thomas re-
maine on his horse, his arms folded, listen
ing to the awful fire that soon ragged along the
line, with the GOODNESS of assured victory or
the calmness Of despair. His lips were com.
pressed. Ills eyes glanced tr...'. .:oi.s - '>'e
as the shell and canister exploded about the
field, and once | saw him, just us the fight
opened most furiOusly, glance up at large,
beautiful white pigeon or dove which alignted
upon a dead tree above him and watched the
battle from her dangerous nest. The repre-
sentative man of that nu1, in unfaltering
courage, ne (rhOmas) may be also said to
have represented by IN, tnou Shts at that mo-
ment the thoughts of al. " Watching him, we
could see his anxiety at the reflection that if
that line did not stand all would be lost; and
each and every man there knew that the sale
tv not only of themselves, but more, the
safety of the whole army, depended upon
them"
The defence was grand; the line stood gal
lantiy; and when night closed Gen. Thomas
fell from his position on the field to Rossville,
worSted, perhaps, but not defeated-the saw
Tor OF the whole army OF the Cumberland.
In person Gen. Thomas is peculiar. He
is fully six feet high; but his figure is so large
anu square tnat IL seems To ROB MN OF several
inches Of stature. Sandyish hair, keen blue
eyes of medium proportions, sunken under
shaggy brows; straight nose, not strkingly
prominent, but strong; ruddy features, deep
ly scanned; square face; large, compact head !;
heavy but firm step-there you have the ply
steal man. He is patient, persevering, even
tempered, and energetic. When mounted,
his horse moves at Il steady, regular pace,
from which it never varies, and through
which lie has gained the soubriquet of "Old
Slow Trot." Notwithstanding this nickname,
such is the punrtuality of General Thomas
habits that he is never behind time. 1t may
seem slow, but he is certainly sure What
ever may be the aiter-tate of Gen. Thomas,
the glory of his conduct at Chickamauga will
never pass away from the memories of his
countrymen.-N Y. Herald.