The New York herald., 1870-03-30
O B TT U A e Y.
Major General George II. Thomas, United
States Army.

It Is with sincere regret that We announce the
death, from apoplexy, In San Francisco, at eight
O'Clock on Monday evening, OF the distinguished
soldier whose name heads this article. A telegram
from California announcing the attack and his crt-
Cal condition was published in the HERALD or yes
terday, ana 1t was followed early in the morning by
adespatch containing the Intelligence OF AIS DEATH
HIS EARLY LIFE
George H. Thomas was born OH the clst of July,
1876 IN the county OF Southampton Virginia. his pa
rents belonging to family OF responsibility and
wealth. Asa schoolboy young Thomas pursued his
elementary studies In his native county. AS he
grew older he accepted position suborninate to his
uncle, who was clerk OF the county, anu ut the same
time commenced the study OF law. In the spring or
1885 the friends OF the family secured Tor the young
man a nomnon for a cadetship at the Unlted States
Military Academy ut West Point IN the same year
he entered institution and after tour years Of
creditable scholarship graduated June so 1910, class
rank twelve, in an aggregate OF iorty-two.
MILITARY SERVICES DURING THE MEXICAN WAR.
On July l, 1910, Cadet Thomas was promoted TO
full second Lieutenant IN the Tnira United States
artillery In the fall OF the same year he joined his
regiment IN Florida, and upon the outbreak or the
war III that state between the United States and the
Indians Lieutenant Thomas commenced his career
OF active duty. On November O. lSil, he was bre-
vetted Irst lieutenant "for galantry ana goou con-
duct IN the war against the Florida indians.n In
january lSa2, ne accompanied his fcgiifent TO New
Orleans, aud in June OF the same year to Fort
M0ultre, Charleston harbor, South Carolina. In
December, lsi3 he was transferred to Fort McHenry,
Maryland with Company OF his regiment. April
so, 1874, he was promoted TO first lieutenant and
joined Company OF bis regiment at Fort Mouitrle
In July, 1S45, war with Mexico being lmmuent,
Lieutenant Thomas was ordered With his company
report to General Zachary Taylor, and arrived at
Corpus Christi IN the same Month. His company
and the Third ana Fourth regiments United States
infantry were the first troops TO lana upon the
SOIL OF Texas. With Tayiors army OF occupation
he marched to the Rio Grande ana formed part OF
the garrison OF Fort Brown while Taylor was estab
fishing a base OF supplies at Point Isabel In TIE
commandment OF Fort Brown by the Mexicans from
the I'd to the Stn OF May Lieutenant Thomas behaved
with great galiantry. IN June lie was detached with
section or his battery and assigned to duty with
the advance guard, and was stationed at Reynosa
until July, when he accompanied the advance TO
Camargo. In september he rejoined his company
ana marched TO Monterey, Mexico. Ia The series OF
engagements at that place ne breyetted captain
10 cate from September 90 1915, "lor gallant con-
duct IN the several conflicts at Monterey, Mexico
on the 2lst, 22d and 23d Of september ls46.n In
November he became senior lieutenant, command
Ing Company H. Third United States artillery vice
Bragg, promoted He retained this positlon until
February IA, lS47. In December le4G he again
figured IN the advance and entered Victoria Janu-
ary, 1897 with Qltman's brigade February %,
1Si7, he was bre7ettcd MAJOR "ror gallant ani
torious conduct in the battle Of Duena Visa.
Mexlco.n --~.s-
sfnylCEs To THE OUTBREAK or THE REBELLION.
On tue return OF peace Lieutenant Thomas was
assigned TO duty in Texas, and subsequently to
Lower California and Missouri. In 1855, being then
major OF the Second cavalry, lie returned TO Texas
with his regiment. In August 1862 he escorted the
Texas reserve Indians to tneir new nome IN the IN
dian Territory. He next examined the country on
the head waters OF the Canadian ana Red rivers. In
the summer OF 1860 ne commanded another expedi-
ron TO the headquarters Of Conchas. On August 26,
1860, during skirmish with the Indians OF that
region he was slightly wounded IN the face. When
the secession movement began he ud not hesitate
moment in deciding upon sustaining the Union
cause In November 1880, General Twggs sur
rendered The United states forces III Texas 10 the
State troops and the Sixth cavalry was dsmonnted
and ordered to the loyal States. Major Thomas was
directed to take command OF it at Carlisle
barracks where remoQnted and ordered TO
the eld 1t was at this time that began the brilliant
military career which placed hun among the abiest
generals OF the Continent.
THE FIRST CAMPAIGN IN TENNESSEE.
Major Thomas was promoted TO lieutenant colo.
ne ON April 25, 1861, and colonel OF the Fifth
cavalry the old Second) on May 3, 1861. lie was
then placed in command OF the regular troops and
the First brigade OF General Patterson's army Of
Northern Virginia. He commanded the brigade
until August 26 when he was promoted TO prgadier
general OF volunteers, TO date from August II, 1861
He was then ordered TO Kentucky, where, on sep
tember 15 1861 he assumed command OF Camp
Dick Robinson. After the defeat OF 2olicofer at
Camp wildcat General Thomas commenced his
forward movement towards Tennessee. st Lebanon
rsfro m ifs
army and defeated the rebels at NH Spring January
49, 1862 during which contest Zollicoiier was killed.
Thomas forces then moved through Kentucky, and
after the fall of Fort Donelson moved to and occu
pied Nashville on March 2 1852. During the second
day OF the battle OF SHILOH April 7, 1862, General
Thomas commanded the reserve Of the Union army,
ana was therefore, not engaged. on April 25, 1862
General Thomas was promoted to major general.
and on May was assigned by General Halleck to
the command or the right wing OF his army, WITH
which he participated in the siege of Corinth. He
next with his Old division, on August G. 1867, occu-
pied Decherd, Tenn, and was then placed in COM
mand OF two divisions and marched TO the relief OF
Louisville.
PERRYyILLE AND MuBFREEsBogo
General Thomas accordingly commenced retro
grade movement reaching Nashville September 8.
General Buell., commanding the department, arrived
several days earlier. On September General Buell.
started a column for Kentucky. On The 18th General
Thomas started with his division, and overlook the
main army at Prewltt's Knob, near Cave City, Ken
tucky. Upon arriving here General Thomas was
appointed second in command Of the entire army.
Upon reaching the vicinity OF Munfordsvie pre-
parations were made TO engage the enemy under
Bragg. The wary rebel however did not hazard
an action, but moved In retreat, and on the 26th
our army found itself at Louisville. On the 29th Of
September the Army OF the Ohio was divided into
three corps, under Generals McCook Crlttenden and
Gilbert. General Thomas continued second ID general
command. In the beginning OF October the
army moved from Louisville towards Bardstown at
which point lay the enemy force. AS our forces
advanced the enemy withdrew, Offering slight op-
pos ition, towards Harodsburg ana Perryvllle. At