★  Thomas, Lorenzo

Lorenzo Thomas

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Thomas.jpeg


Born: October 26, 1804

Birthplace: New Castle, Delaware

Father: Evan Henry Thomas 1763 – 1836

Mother: Elizabeth Fitz Randolph Sherer 1776 – 1846

Wife:
Elizabeth Brindley Colesberry 1806 – 1879
(Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)​

Children:

Henry Colesberry Thomas 1833 – 1909​
(Buried: Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)​
Lt. Lorenzo Thomas Jr. 1837 – 1912​
(Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)​
Mary B. Thomas Hulings 1838 – 1918​
(Buried: Rockville Cemetery, Rockville, Maryland)​
Captain Evan Thomas 1843 – 1873​
(Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia)​
Randolph Thomas 1849 – 1861​
(Buried: Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)​
Elizabeth Brindley Thomas Taylor 1851 – 1928​
(Buried: Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)​

Education:

1823: Graduated from West Point Military Academy – (17th in class)​

Occupation before War:

1823 – 1829: 2nd Lt. United States Army, 4th Infantry Regiment​
1824: Garrison Duty at Cantonment Clinch, Florida​
1824: Garrison Duty at Saint Mark’s, Florida​
1824 – 1825: Helped construct military road to St. Augustine, Florida​
1825: Garrison Duty at Cantonment Clinch, Florida​
1825 – 1826: Served in the Creek Nation, Georgia​
1826 – 1828: Garrison Duty at Cantonment Clinch, Florida​
1828 – 1831: Adjutant for United States Army 4th Infantry Regiment​
1829 – 1836: 1st​ Lt. United States Army 4th Infantry Regiment​
1831 – 1833: Recruiter for United States Army​
1833 – 1836: Served in United States Army, Adjutant General’s office​
1836 – 1837: Served in the Seminole War in Florida​
1836 – 1848: Captain United States Army 4th Infantry Regiment​
1836 – 1838: Assistant Quartermaster in United States Army​
1839 – 1840: Chief of Staff for United States Army in Florida​
1838: Brevet Major and Assistant Adjutant General​
1840 – 1846: Assistant Adjutant General in Washington, D.C.​
1844: Member of Board of Visitors at West Point Military Academy​
1846 – 1848: Chief of Staff to Major General William O. Butler​
1846: Brevetted Lt. Colonel for Gallantry, Battle of Monterrey​
1848: Chief of Staff for the Army of Mexico​
1848 – 1853: Assistant Adjutant General for United States Army​
1848: Major of United States Army, 4th Infantry Regiment​
1852–1861: Lt. Colonel, United States Army, Assistant Adjutant General​
1853 – 1861: Chief of Staff to Lt. General Winfield Scott​

Civil War Career:

1861: Colonel, United States Army, Assistant Adjutant General​
1861 – 1863: Assistant Adjutant General of United States Army​
1861: Brevet Brigadier General, United States Army​
1861 – 1869: Brigadier General and Assistant Adjutant General​
1863 – 1865: Organizer of African American Soldiers​
1865: Member of Military Commission in Washington, D.C.​
1865: Brevetted Major General for his service in the War​
1865 – 1866: Awaiting Orders from United States Army​

Occupation after War:

1866: Inspection tour relating to Provost Marshal General’s Office​
1866 – 1867: Awaiting Orders from United States Army​
1867 – 1869: Inspection Tour of National Cemeteries​
1868: Acting United States Secretary of War Department​
1869: Retired from United States Army on February 22nd

Died: March 2, 1875

Place of Death: Washington, D.C.

Cause of Death: Debility and congestion of the lungs

Age at time of Death: 70 years old

Burial Place: Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It was Thomas as a colonel who replaced Samuel Cooper in March of 1861. On August 3rd of 1861 a reorganization was made and his post called for a brigadier general so he was promoted to that rank. One of his first assignments was by Lincoln to investigate the activities of General John Fremont. It was his report that led to Fremont's removal. But his greatest service was probably the raising of United States Colored Troops.
 
His assignment by Lincoln to investigate Fremont's activities was part of what got Fremont removed from command. Apparently Fremont was a favorite of the Radical Republicans and Stanton as his "Fremont Report" earned their hostility.
 
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