President Lincoln was willing to give command of the Union armies to Robert E. Lee, a Virginian.
However, Lincoln was also hesitant to rapidly advance Thomas' career, "Let the Virginian wait."
So what's the difference? If you wanted to display a prominent Southerner to rally Unionists back to the flag, wouldn't Thomas do just as well as Robert E. Lee? On the other hand, if you were suspicious of Thomas because he was a Southerner, why do you trust Lee to command your armies?
However, Lincoln was also hesitant to rapidly advance Thomas' career, "Let the Virginian wait."
So what's the difference? If you wanted to display a prominent Southerner to rally Unionists back to the flag, wouldn't Thomas do just as well as Robert E. Lee? On the other hand, if you were suspicious of Thomas because he was a Southerner, why do you trust Lee to command your armies?