The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-30
General George II. Thomas.

In his letter opposing Logan's army bill
the other day Gen. Sherman, in his impetu-
Gus style, exclaimed: "What money will pay
Meade for Gettysburg? What Sheridan for
Winchester and Five Forks? What Thomas
for Chickamauga, Chattanooga or Mash
eille9" The news of the death of the great
and good man last named answers the ques-
ton. Not all the wealth of the nation can
now avail to convey to the mind of that mill
tary leader whose character and conduct
strongly reminded his contemporaries of
George Washington, the conviction that he
was appreciated and loved by his ccuntrymen.
Most inopportunely the contest concerning
his contemplated removal just before he
crushed Hood in the battle of Nashville was
at its height at the time of his death. No
longer ago than Saturday writer in the
Tribune expended column in attempting to
prove that it was not Thomas that won the
blttle at Nashville, but some of his subordi-
nate generals. He contends that if the order
placing Schofeld in command had been car
yied out, Hood would have been more
thoroughly beaten than be was. But Thomas
was as well established in the confidence and
affection Of the American people as Grant or
Sherman, and all attacks, like that above
mentioned, intended to depreciate the value
Of his services, were regarded, while he yet
lived, as species of impiety. The man that
was SO fastidious in respect to his personal
honor that he repeatedly refused presents
urged upon him by his admirers as a slight
token OF their regard-who was so devoted to
the service of his country that he did not visit
his family or see his wife till the close of the
war-who won almost the first decisive victory
Of the war when he defeated Zollicofer at
Mill Spring, saved the Western Army at
Chickamanga and gained the most complete
victory of the Rebellion in the series of en-
gagements ending at Nashville-the man
whose name is associated with all these hon
orable actions and great achievements is safe,
like bis great prototype, Gin the hearts of his
countrymen."
Gen. Thomas was born in Southampton Co.,
Va, in the early part of the present century;
entered West Point July 1, 1896, graduated
July 1, 1840, and was appointed Second Lieut.
enant in the Third Artillery. He served with
distinction in the Mexican war, and obtained
. Brevet Captaincy September %, 1886, obtain
ing substantive rank on the 24th OF December
1853 In 1856 he was made Major of the Sec
ond Cavalry. When the rebellion broke out
he was ordered to the Carlyle Barracks, to re-
mount the regiment; was promoted Lieuten-
ant Colonel April 18th, and Colonel May Sd,
1861. He was engaged in the operations Of the
Shenandoah Valley from the LIST of June to
the 18th of August, 1861, having the command
of a'brigade in the action OF Falling Waters,
and was in the skirmish at Martinsburg July
Sd, and at Bunker Hill July Is, 1861. On the
17th Of August of the same year he was ap-
pointed Brigadier General of Volunteers,
and es such served in the Department OF the
Cumberland; in organizing the Kentucky and
Tennessee volunteers; being in command and
engaged atthe conflict at Mill Spring, Ky, and
was in the movement on Nashville; was in the
Tennessee and Mississippi campaign in 1862, be-
ing with hts division as the reserve of tho Army
Of the Ohio; was in command of the right
wing OF the Army Of the Tennessee in the ad.
9th to May s0th. 1862; was made Major Gen.
erai Of Volunteers April q, 1862, and while
holding that position was in M Al. Gen. Buelrs
operations: with the Army Of the Ohio, in
from the 18th of June to the 7th of November.
1853; among other services, was in command
OF the right wing Of the army at the battle of
Perryville; was in Rosecrans' Tennessee cam
psgo in command con Of the 14th army corps
the battle of Stone River; was in the advance
on Tullahoma, in the action at Hoover's Gan.
in the passage of the Elk and the Tennessee
rivers, and at the battle of Chickamauga Sept.
10 20, 1862 and checked the advance of the en-
my upon Chattanooga, Sept. p, 1863, to which
he retired and commenced fortiiying. He was
placed in command of the Department and
Army of the Cumberland, on Oct 10th, 1868,
and on Oct. 9th, was made Brigadier Gene
raj Of the United States Army.
h Ia Ira Al L. n.x--~
6erland he opened his communications by the |
tennessee river and Lookout Valley; fought |
re ID, battle Of Missionary Ridge, Nov. 23-25th, |
!ees; pursued the enemy and fought the bat
ss 10 3, MdbbG ! Georgia Nov 26.h and reor
1852; after which he was in the invasion Of |
Georgia up TO- the 7th Of September, in COM |
mand OF the Army of the Cumberland, which |
was composed OF the 4th, 14th and 10th army /
corps, and three cavalry divisions, being en- |
1srating against Resaca, in the occupation of |
Zone, in the action as Cassville, in the battle /
~ Oallas, In the movement against Pine /
Jn~s IAN, which lasted from May 18th to
encs.sH tn, and in which be was almost daily /
esaw Mountain from IHna ~ o one oa'Ies Vi nen
- r.. CSa.. az lAupp's Station. in the MASSAGE
from july 22d :" sue, at the siege of Atlanta
rendered, and which he o mnen the place sur
x!th. In obedience to instruetounsu until sept
sherman ne was engaged during 0n rom Gen.
December, 1854, in organizing The ds e,oe and
Tennessee against the rebel invasione % OF
Gen. Hood, by concentrating his scatt are5
desperately engaged at the battle of FrapEiilne
Nov. 30th, and he finally took position with |
other. reinforcements before Nashville, where
the rebel army was utterly routed with heavy
loss Of material and men, in the great battle Of |
Zee. l6-18, 1884. For his gallantry at Nash |
vie No received the thanks Of Congress. He |
also received the thanks of the General As |
,;;eH"y 9. tennessee, which voted him mag |
On the 10th Of December, 1864, Gen. Thomas