"[Ulysses S. Grant and George H. Thomas deserve] monuments like those of Nelson and Wellington in London, well worthy to stand side by side with the one which now graces our capitol city of 'George Washington.'" – William Tecumseh Sherman
Despite the fact that the Civil War began over 150 years ago, it remains one of the most widely discussed topics in America today, with Americans arguing over its causes, reenacting its famous battles, and debating which general was better than others. Americans continue to be fascinated by the Civil War icons who made the difference between victory and defeat in the war's great battles.
One of the most unique and effective generals of the Civil War also happens to be one of the most overlooked. While there is a never ending stream of acclaim going to generals like Grant, Lee, and Sherman, General George H. Thomas has managed to fly under the radar, despite having an unusual background as a Southerner fighting for the Union and scoring almost inconceivable successes at Missionary Ridge, Franklin, and Nashville. Thomas also skillfully fought at Perryville, Stones River, and in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign.
Despite all of those successes, however, Thomas is best remembered as "The Rock of Chickamauga". On September 19, 1863, a Union gaffe created a quarter-mile gap in the Union center, directly in the path of an eight-brigade (15,000 man) force led by Confederate General James Longstreet, which subsequently drove a third of the Union army from the field. While commanding general William Rosecrans retreated with those men, Thomas rallied the remaining parts of the army and formed an impromptu defensive stand on Horseshoe Ridge, holding off a series of well-executed (albeit costly) assaults until nightfall. Thomas's heroics prevented the destruction of the Union army and allowed it to successfully retreat to Chattanooga.
Thomas had one of the most stellar records of any officer in the war, was instrumental in the Union's ultimate victory in the Western theater, and scored the kinds of decisive victories that eluded more celebrated generals like Lee. So why does Thomas fly under the radar? A stern military man, Thomas eschewed self-promotion and aggrandizement, and though his methodical generalship was almost always successful, it sometimes annoyed General Ulysses S. Grant. With Grant's star rising as his relationship with Thomas was cooling, Thomas was on the wrong end of history. And when he died in 1870, Thomas had burned his papers and had not written memoirs or an account of his participation in the war, missing his final opportunity to directly leave his mark instead of having others write it for him.
The Rock of Chickamauga: The Life and Career of General George H. Thomas chronicles the life and career of one of the Union's most indispensable generals, humanizing the methodical military man who roomed with Sherman at West Point and was known as "Slow Trot Thomas" by his men, who came to respect and admire him. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events in his life, you will learn about George H. Thomas like you never have before, in no time at all.