Military History: George Thomas - Essay Example

Assessing General George Thomas Millions of individuals have taken part in military conflicts throughout history. Battles that have not only shapedthe lives and perspectives of the individuals who have fought them but also, the general public who have been faced with the resulting consequences after the fighting has ended. One such man with a record of military service would be General George Thomas. A man faced with the responsibility of serving a cause and having that service shape how he is seen by others who look back upon him. Just as everyone has their pasts that influence their futures, George Thomas would also have early beginnings that would lead him to his later years. In his early days, George would show his feelings towards the disenfranchised, despite the consequences present at the time. In this case, "George Henry Thomas was born July 31, 1816, at Newsom's Depot, VA. Growing up on a plantation, Thomas was one of many who violated the law and taught his family's slaves to read," ("About.com", p.1). From a personal standpoint, Thomas' desire to help those despite the presence of existing laws against such help at the time, would show a sense of character and consideration for those around him. At a point in time, George would seek to pursue a career in law. Such a career path choice, would last for only a short period of time. It would be at this period in time that George would elect to enroll at West Point. While at the academy, one of his associates would be William T. Sherman, who shared a room with the young Thomas. At this point in time, "Becoming friendly rivals, Thomas soon developed a reputation among the cadets for being deliberate and cool-headed. Graduating 12th in his class, Thomas was commissioned as a second lieutenant and assigned to the artillery," ("About.com", p.1). By having a mentality of sharp thinking and level headedness, it would enable Thomas to effectively execute his responsibilities to the men and his unit and better serve the cause. The commanding officer which George would have had during the Second Seminole conflict that took place in Florida, described him in this manner, "I never knew him to be late or in a hurry. All his movements were deliberate, his self-possession was supreme...," ("About.com", p.1). By taking into consideration the appraisal of George Thomas by his commanding officer, it would further outline a man who would possess an attitude towards structure and a conviction for steadfast behavior. General Thomas' career would essentially begin with the Mexican American War. During this conflict, Thomas would be provided with the opportunity to increase his held rank not once, but in fact would do it twice. With regards to the Civil War, George Thomas would see his career begin in one area and then shift to another as time would go on. He would take part in the conflict known as the First Battle of Manassas but in the end, would be transferred to what would be referred to as the western theatre for the remainder of the war. In reference to the time after Thomas would arrive in the western region of the battle front, "Thomas began his time in the Western Theater by commanding an independent force in eastern Kentucky, which defeated Confederate forces at Mill Springs in early 1862," ("George Thomas", p.1). As one of the battles that Thomas would be a part of, this battle would provide to be essential. In these terms, "This battle is seen as one of the first important Union victories in the war," ("George Thomas", p.1). For this battle to have been considered an important aspect of the victories seen by the union movement that would only serve to elevate George Thomas, to an even higher standing within the military hierarchy of status and importance. It would be during the same year as the victory seen at Mill Springs that George Thomas would see another increase in rank. This time, he would in fact become a Major General and would take, "..command of four divisions from Grant's former Army of the Tennessee and one from the Army of the Ohio. In this new position Thomas enjoyed success at the siege of Corinth," ("George Thomas", p.1). The similarities to be found with the nature of George Thomas' career, would be that as he would advance to new areas and circumstances, he would continue to see success, both through combat and also through the resulting advancement in rank that would come to him as a result. With the Battle of Chickamauga, George would continue to prove his record of being a strong and defiant military service member. He would show others that he would not forgo his position. After this, he would go on to yet another battle. This time, "..Thomas received command of the Army of the Cumberland. Under Thomas' leadership the Union was able to claim victory at the Battles for Chattanooga," ("George Thomas", p.1). Adding more battles to his resume and increasing the number of subsequent victories. Following his involvement at the Battle of Franklin, as well as the Battle of Nashville, George Thomas would receive the highest rank increase of his long and illustrious career. In this case, "Thomas received the promotion of Major General following the battle of Nashville in 1864," ("George Thomas", p.1). At the end of the Civil War, George Thomas would continue on to other things before his death. In fact, "Following the war Thomas commanded the Department of the Cumberland until 1870. During reconstruction he worked to protect freedmen and was offered the rank of Lieutenant General by President Andrew Johnson. However, Thomas declined the rank due to his distaste for party politics and later commanded the Division of the Pacific in San Francisco until his death in 1870," ("George Thomas", p.1). A man who, at the end of his life, would seek the ability to lead and the opportunity to do so, without the presence of political interference from those within the highest levels of military authority. In the end, "General Thomas applied modern technique to his methods of warfare; but his approach to the military profession was knightly; he believed in chivalry, honor, a code of loyalty among brothers in arms," ("General Thomas", p.1). A man that would adjust his approach to military conflicts that would be influenced by the elements of the period in time that he would have been in but as it stood, would maintain a level of respect and consideration for the importance of being faithful to the connection held between individuals who served for the same cause and on the same team. Many men have sought to make an impact while in charge of military units; many of those have gone unnoticed by the rest of the general public. According to Peter Andrews, n his article titled 'The Rock of Chickamauga', Andrews writes, "Of all the great commanders in the Civil War, the most consistently underrated and overlooked is Gen. George H. Thomas, the big Virginia cavalryman who fought for the Union," (Andrews, p.1). Presently, "..his significance to history lies not only in his military record, but also in his conversion from slave owner to defender of civil rights," ("George H.", p.1). The man would garner a significantly detailed military record but on a more personal note, would see his life translate from the days of being a part of the ownership of slaves, to the presence of mind to fight for those whose rights would be placed into question. To further understand Thomas' role within the battle, "The task of taking down the Union position that earned Thomas the nickname "the rock of Chickamauga" fell in a large part to the 63rd Tennessee Confederates. The 63rd was up against the new lever-action rifles. It was on of the first times the "experimental" weapons were used in a major battle and they proved to be superior to the single-shot rifles carried by both sides. It was General Thomas' quick thinking on Snodgrass Hill, however, that is credited with saving the Union Army," ("The Battle", p.1). Such thinking that would follow Thomas for the rest of his career. To be seen as the type of individual who would think quickly, yet effectively, when the situation would call for it and thus, maintaining the sharpness of will and the strength of conviction to be victorious in battle. The introduction of weapons having never been utilized in battle before and the quick thinking of a single military officer, in this case General George Thomas that would effectively save the Army. Despite the success that he would see as a soldier, George Thomas would still fail to see the same success as some of the more notable individuals who would have taken part in military conflicts over the decades. After observing his career and life, "Thomas had a successful record in the Civil War, but he failed to achieve he historical acclaim of some of his contemporaries, such as Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman," ("George Henry Thomas", p.1). A man who would routinely see military victory but would do so while staying true to the convictions and ethics of his own moral fiber, while staying with the true nature and role of a military soldier. A man who would, in his life, forgo not only the presence of seeking not only personal platitudes but also, the complimentary exchanges of formal recognition. Instead, would seek to honor the traditional role of the military figure. That is, to serve the structure of the military command and its intended purpose. To serve and defend, while doing so effectively and also, to do so honorably. References "About.com: Military History". Section- American Civil War: Major General George H. Thomas. Retrieved March 20, 2010 from http://militaryhistory. about.com/od/americancivilwar/p/ghthomas.htm Andrews, Peter. "The Rock of Chickamauga". Retrieved March 22, 2010 from http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1990/2/1990_2_81.shtml "George H. Thomas". Retrieved from http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Thomas_ George_H_1816-1870 "George Henry Thomas". Retrieved March 21, 2010 from http://www.absoluteastronomy.com /topics/George_Henry_Thomas "George Thomas". Civil War Preservation Trust: Saving America's Civil War Battlefields. Retrieved March 21, 2010 from http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/ biographies/george-thomas.html "General Thomas". Retrieved March 21, 2010 from http://generalthomas.com/judgement _of_history.htm "The Battle of Chickamauga". Retrieved March 28, 2010 from http://www.battleofchickamauga .net/history.html Read More