The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-06-16
J. c. CHILDS g. CO., 346 Eighth Ave., NY City.
GEN. GEO, H. THOMAS.
Naturally a Mild hammered Man and
Humorous, but Terrible on the Bat
tlefeld.
BY c. D. BRIGHAM, WASHINGTON, D. O.

The personal traits of conspicuous actors In
the war are always an interesting study. i
have already remarked somewhat on certain
leading characteristics of Gen. Thomas, than
whom there were no greater characters de-
veloped during the war; If he was slow, he
was so to be all the more complete in methods
and effective in action. As to this the battle
Of Nashville may be cited. His apparent slow
ness to engage Hood resulted from no unwill-
ingness, but to render overwhelming the result.
There was nothing left of Hood and his army
when Thomas was through with him. There
never was anything more complete or salts
factory-all owing to the perfect character of
Thomas's preparation. That battle was an in
dex to Thomas's character as a commander
acting under the single order given him by
Grant to annihilate Hood. 1t was literally
fulfilled.
Other characteristics of Thomas were broug ht
out at Chickamauga, particularly in the emer-
gency when it fell to him to stay the tide of
battle when, apparently, Longstreets forces had
only to attack Thomas to make the rebel
triumph complete. Thomas was equal to the
terrible emergency. He has been described on
that occasion az displaying almost superhuman
qualities, and he is said to have uttered such
stern and stirring words of command that the
prowess of every man who heard them were
more than doubled. Washington, whom
Thomas in certain respects has been said to re-
semble, is said to have exhibited much rage and
uttered such terrible oaths at Monmouth as to
cause those who saw and heard him TO fall
back in dismay. / have been assured by Mr..
Danna, who was present on the field in the Ca
pacity of Assistant Secretary of War, that it
would be impossible to describe Thomas on
that occasion or portray the effect of his man
ner and words on the men, who, catching his
spirit, performed miracles Of courage and hero
ism.
Naturally large man, and ordinarily mild
hammered, We can easily imagine how he
would seem when every fiber was animated, as
on the field of Chickamauga.
Terrible as be was at times Thomas could be
as gentle as a woman. have seen him deeply
moved at the loss of personal friends, and at
suffering unavoidable in war. During what
might be termed the siege of Chattanooga, after
nearly all the women had been sent away, there
remained one, the wife of an officer on Bragg's
staff The rebel army lay close up to the city,
and this lady occupied her own house, with
three children-one an infant-and servants.
The house was in the very midst OF our army.
The spot where it stood was where Gen. Smith
had located on the map of projected defensive
works fort, and ii became necessary to moye
this lady and her children. Her presence had
for considerable time been felt to be wholly
inconsistent with the surroundings. The order
for her expulsion had been given more than
once, but not executed. It was In the dead of
Winter. There could be no further delay. The
lady belonged to one of the first families of
Nashville and was widely known in Southern
society. Thomas gave express orders that
everything should be done for her comfort.
Her furniture was carefully boxed; men had
been detailed to do it carefully and securely,
and a Captain of the Michigan Engineers. him.
self man of years, husband and father, was
detailed to superintend her departure and con-
duct her to Nashville. Had the lady been his
own wife Thomas could not have been moro
considerable. The feelings of the man and the
policy of the soldier enters into the action of
Thomas. As woman she was entitled to kind
treatment. As a somewhat famous member of
Southern society, her report of the transaction
would 60 far and wide. The fact was, the lady
sent to her friends all over the South letters
highly Auditory of Thomas; whereas, had not
this course been taken, the reverse would have
been the case. Thomas's gallantry was not
confined to the field Of battle. While Thomas
could be merciful he could be severe, almost
cruelty severe. He was always just however.
A single instance will illustrate this:
AT critical time, shortly after the battle Of
Missionary Ridge, foraging party Of Union
soldiers was bushwhacked and all but one
man cruelty murdered. The particulars were
reported to Thomas with minuteness. The
scene Of the transaction was near q village of
considerable size, where the bushwhackers
rendezvoused or lived Thomas quickly chose
his action. He ordered the commander of the
Union forces in that vicinity to levy and collect
the sum of $4,000 on the citizens, allowing
only short time in which to do it. The
money was duly collected, and by the order of
Thomas paid to the families of the murdered
Union soldiers. But what of the bush
whackers, the likes of which were in many
places committing frequent depredatious on
Union men? Thomas did not long hesitate as
to them. Their names were carefully OBJ
tanned in full. In ar order widely published
Thomas declared them to be outlaws, liable to
be shot on sight. Itwas terrible penalty and
warning. There was no bushwhaeking after
that.
Thomas was man of humor, with a keen
sense of the ludicrous which single incident
will show. A Wisconsin soldier applied for
permission to go home, and obtained permission
to lay his petition before Gen. Thomas. The
General received the soldier with kindness and
attentively listened to q statement Of his rea-
Sous.
"Then you wish to go home to see your wife
and babies said Thomas. THAT is precisely
my case" he continued. "You say you have
been from homo nearly three years? So have
!, and / would dearly like to see my wife and
babies. But for the business that keeps US here
we would go together, for my wife and babies
are there Also"
This did not satisfy the man, though ie
pleased him. "How many babies did you say
you have at homer" This Thomas asked with
what the man understood was from an interest
in his case. "Three." was the response and
the man added that he had never seen but one,
which was q baby when he left home.
"Three," and two have been born since you
enlisted" queried Thomas.
The Generals face wore q curious look as he
seemed to ponder moment, and then said he
"No, my man, you can't 60 homo now you
are the man to keep. The soldier who has been
in the ranks fighting as you have been for three
years and has had two boys born at home must
not leave until the fighting is over or the term
of his enlistment is out. You are precisely the