NNP

George Henry Thomas

Biography

Born in Southampton County, Virginia. Graduated from West Point in 1840, 12th in a class of 42 and classmate of William T. Sherman. Married Frances Lucretia Kellogg November 17, 1852.

Served in Florida against the Indians. Instructor in artillery and cavalry at West Point 1851 to 1854. On April 14, 1861, he joined his regiment at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On August 17, 1861, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. He served under general Rosecrans in the Army of the Cumberland.

Thomas served under Rosecrans during the Battle of Chickamauga, Thomas' forces were badly bent but unbroken. Confederates broke through both his flanks. He held his ground and earned the title, "The Rock of Chickamauga." Thomas replaced Rosecrans in command of the Army of the Cumberland. He was promoted to brigadier general in the regular army October 27, 1863. Thomas served under Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. He was promoted to major general March 3, 1865, and received the thanks of Congress.

In June 1869 he was given command of the Military Division of the Pacific. He died in San Francisco.

Thomas appears on paper money:

$5 Treasury or Coin Notes, series of 1890 and 1891

Some were signed by Register Rosecrans.

bio: ApCAB; DAB; Drake; EAB; Limpert; NCAB 4; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H; BNR Mar 83