- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
Thomas was one of the principle commanders in the Western Theater but never achieve the historical acclaim he may have deserved, why is this? Suspicion of his loyalty surrounded Thomas because he was a Southerner. Do historians consider Thomas a poor, average. or good general.
I have trouble thinking of a battle where Thomas's performances would be considered sub standard. He performed fairly well at Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Peachtree Creek. Yet Sherman did not take Thomas with him on the March to the Sea and sent he off to fight Hood during the Franklin-Nashville Campaign. Grant sent John A. Logan to replace Thomas at Nashville, but it appears that Grant relented after General Thomas won the Battle of Nashville.
So some questions about Thomas.
1. Grant apparently did not think highly of Thomas. What was the reason for Gant's low opinion of Thomas?
2. Sherman thought Thomas was slow and not a great general. Again why did Sherman think poorly of Thomas?
3. Should have Grant still relieved Thomas after the Battle of Nashville? If Grand did not have confidence in Thomas, why not relieve him of command despite Thomas having won the Battle of Nashville? If Thomas is a rotten general he is a rotten general.
4. Should Thomas have been relieved because he allowed Hood's army to escape after the Battle of Nashville?
5. Would it have helped Thomas' reputation if he had published a post war book?
I purchased a copy of Rock of Chickamauga The Life of General George H. Thomas by Freeman Cleaves today so perhaps in a couple of week I could discuss this topic better.
I have trouble thinking of a battle where Thomas's performances would be considered sub standard. He performed fairly well at Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and Peachtree Creek. Yet Sherman did not take Thomas with him on the March to the Sea and sent he off to fight Hood during the Franklin-Nashville Campaign. Grant sent John A. Logan to replace Thomas at Nashville, but it appears that Grant relented after General Thomas won the Battle of Nashville.
So some questions about Thomas.
1. Grant apparently did not think highly of Thomas. What was the reason for Gant's low opinion of Thomas?
2. Sherman thought Thomas was slow and not a great general. Again why did Sherman think poorly of Thomas?
3. Should have Grant still relieved Thomas after the Battle of Nashville? If Grand did not have confidence in Thomas, why not relieve him of command despite Thomas having won the Battle of Nashville? If Thomas is a rotten general he is a rotten general.
4. Should Thomas have been relieved because he allowed Hood's army to escape after the Battle of Nashville?
5. Would it have helped Thomas' reputation if he had published a post war book?
I purchased a copy of Rock of Chickamauga The Life of General George H. Thomas by Freeman Cleaves today so perhaps in a couple of week I could discuss this topic better.