The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-10-23
GEORGE H. THOMAS.
How the Z" Rock OF Chicknmauga" is Regarded In
Europe.
TRANSLATED FROM A FRENCH PUBLICATION
BY GEN. }. WATTS DE PEYsTER.

The following honest biographical notice Of
"Our noblcst and our BEST" Gen. George I'll
! Thomas, appeared in the Grand DicfioRnart
UaicerSd Of the NIX Steele published by
/ Pierre Larousse, Paris 1876. 1t exhibits such
| q recognition of this Nobest Roman of them
all" that the following translation becomes OF
! interest TO every real American soldier:
George II. Thomas, an American General,
was born in Virginia in 1916, aud died in 1870.
/ At the age of 90 he entered the Military Acad-
| envy at West Point, and four years afterward
became Lieutenant of Artillery; served in Flor
ida and in Mexico, and gave proofs of bravery in
! the war with Mexico. When the secession war
broke out he was a Colonel of Cavalry, and
J played brilliant role in the combat of Falling
Waters, July > 1861, the first of the campaign.
The aged Gen. Winfield Scott, who had rca-
son to appreciate his military qualities. APP
piled ut once for the commission of (Brigad cry
General for Thomas. and sent him TO the West
Department OF the CumbeTand). On the 10Th
(20thl Of January, 1862, he fought the battle of
Mil Springs Southern kentucky, in which he
defeated tho Southern General, Zoliconer. He
next served under the orders of Gems. Buell. and
Hallcck commanded division at Shiloh; the
right wing of the Army of the Tennessee mt
COrnith; the right wing of the army during
the fight at Perryville, aud took part in all the
operations of his superior in Kentucky.
When Gen. w 5. RosCcrans assumed COM
maud in chief, supcrscding Buell., Thomas was
one Of the officers in whom he placed the great
est confidence, and in short time Thomas be-
came the most popular General of the army in
Tennessee. The lirmness and decision of his
character, his wisdom in the preparation and
his energy in the execution of a plan, his
loyalty, and the selEdenial that Invested him
of all personal ambition, won for him the hearts
of ali his brother chiefs and OF every one who
served under his orders. Throughout the
army he was known solely by the aifectionate
sobrIquet Pap Thomas"
In every battle it was always Thomas who
was placed in the most important or most dan
gcTous position, but that which crowned his
military reputation was his energetic and
brilliant conduct at the battle of Chickamauga,
which was so fatal (unfortunate) to the Union
army. When RosecTans found himself there
separated from his army, in consequence of
a false manuver, and while the principal
part of it experienced a complete defeat,
Thomas maintained himself in his position,
and after having sustained the shock OF the
whole army Of the enemy effected his retreat
in good order In this battle of two DAYS.
Sept. 10 and 90 his self possession and calm
intrepidity saved the Federal army from
entire destruction.
1t now became necessary to preserve the i'm
portant town Tor position) Of Chattanooga, the
capture of which by the Southerners would
have compromised the issues of the war.
Anxiety became general throughout the North
ern States. but it ceased as il by enchRutment
when Thomas replied to Grant who had asked
By telegraph If he could maintain himselfthere;
]. e., hold Chattanooga: -" / will hold on till we
starve"
in 1864 Thomas commanded one Of the corps
constituent armies) under Sherman during
the march of the latter on Atlanta, in Georgia.
aud, after this campaign, he was appointed to
H.
nessee. He had 10 defend the rear-guard, so 10
speak, of Sherman, while the latter executed
his confident march 10 the sea, against J. Is.
Hood, one Of the most intrepid Generals in the
rebel army.
Then it was that he enjoyed the finest oppor-
tunity 10 display his talents as a General, aud
he not only excited once again the admiration
Of the Americans, but was likewise able 10 win
the suifTages OF tacticians considered the highest
authorities. His operations before and during
the decisive battle Of Nashville Dec. II aud Is,
1864, are perhaps the most skillful application
Of the principles Of the military art which have
been made in our epoch. For this campaign
the Congress voted him the thanks of the
Nation, aud the State Of Tennessee had a medal
Of gold struck in his honor.
After the war he received the military COM
maud ofthe States in the center Of the Southern
Confederacy, aud in this position, which in
volyed very great responsibility, he acquired
the reputation OF an officer both moderate and
equitable, Of a friend Of peace and order, dis
playing ali equal justice toward all the inhabit-
ants Of the military district without distinction
Of race or social position.
He had yet again the opportunity TO furnish
brilliant proof Of the nobility and indepcnd-
ence Of his character by resisting all the at
tempts at seduction by President Andrew John
son and by refusing the latter % serve as his
instrument against Gen. Grant. Gen Thomas
was a man Of athletic build, and the calcula-
ton and regularity Of his movements acquired
for him IN tie army the epithet Of "Od Slow
Troi," aud nothing could ever make him devil
ate from his melh0dic habits.
Such is the opionion of Thomas in Europe.