The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-10-15
Maj. Gen. Thomas, the Hero al
the Battle Of mauga.

Maj. Gen. George Henry Thomas is an
officer of the Uuited State, army, and o
native of Virginia, about forty-four years
of age. He entered the West Point Militia
ry Acadamy as a cadet in 1886, and gradu-
ated 18th rank in class of forty two
Upon his graduation in 1S41, he was assign
cd to the Sd artillery as Second Lieutenant.
His regiment was then in Florida. Novem-
Der 9th, 1871, he was brevetted 1st Lieuten-
ant for galantry and meritorioua conduct in
the war then being waged against the Flor.
ida Indians. He was made full First Lieu.
tenant in April, 1914. and was brevet ed a
Captain for Gallant and meritorious conduct
at Monterey, in Mexico taking that rank
from September 23d. 1916. He was also
brevetted Major for gallant and meritorious
conduct in the bastIe Of Buena Vista, which
hrevet ws dated February 23d, 1s47, the
rank being awarded in May, 1s43. In
1850 he was appointed instructor ofarti'ery
and cavalry at West Point In December,
1852, he was promoted to the Captainey of
Company B. Of his regiment, aud on the
18th Of May, 1855, was selected f,r promo.
tion 70 Major in the I'd cavalafy, which was
organized in that year.
He was commander of the post Fort
Yuma, California, in 1855, to 1860, he was
on duty in Texas; commanding his regiment
for the last three years Of that time against
the Indians, and exploring expeditions. In
1861, he was ordered to Carlisle Barracks
Pennsylvania. On the resignation of his
superior officers, at the commencement oi
the rebellion, Thomas was promoted to the
Lieutenant Colonelcy of his regiment, and
on the Sd of May, 1861, was made Colonel
Of the Cd cavalry. As Colonel he had charge
ofthe United States regular forces under
General Patterson, in the department Of the
Shenandoah, and led the passage of the
troops across the Potomac. He was next
appointed an acting Brigadier General in
the same department., in which capacity he
served under General Banks. On the 18th
of August, 1881, he was promoted to the
rank Of Brigadier General Of volunteers. and
when Kentucky and Tennessee were made
into seperate department, he was ordered
to report to the Commander at the head
quarters. In the Brigading Of the forces in
that department he was ordered to the com.
mand of 4th division. He commanded at
the battle of Mill Spring, January 10th 1862
when the rebel General ZolIicoaer was kill
ed and the Confederates completely defeat.
ed, His division was afterwards ordered
to Nashville and from there marched to
Pittsburg Landing, but being in the reserve,
did not arrive in time to take part in the
battle ofShiloh.
He was appointed Major General Of
volunteers, April 25th 1862, and assigned
to the right wing of General Halleck's army
He was subsequently transferred to the
Department of the Ohio, and appointed
commander in the field of the three corps
embraced in the department. On the Goth
of September he was ordered to supersede,
General Buell., but on the rcmonstrancs Of
himself and other officers that General was
for the time, reinstated. He took prolni-
nent part in the battle Of Merfreesboro, and
has been conspicuous in all the latter opera
tons of General Rosecrans' army. In per-
son General Thomas is peculiar. He ls
fully six feet high, bat his figure is so large
and square that it seems to rob him of
several inches of stature. Sandyish hair /;
keen blue eyes Of medium proportions,
sunken under shaggy brows; strait nose, not
strikingly prominent, but strong; ruddy
features, deeply scanned; square face !;
large, compact head; heavy but firm step /;
there yon have the physical man. He is
patient, persevereing, even tempered and
energetic. General Rosecrans il said to
entertain for htn an exalted esteem.
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