Category Archives: George Thomas

May 20, 1863: Recruitment of black troops

The New York Times reports that black regiments are being organized. But the recruits have a condition; they want the President to push the South to treat captured black soldiers as prisoners of war. While efforts were made repeatedly, they … Continue reading

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October 7, 1862: Rebels may resist at Perryville

George Thomas’ troops are in serious need of supplies, especially water. There’s water at Perryville, but they know that rebel troops are there. Good chance of a battle coming up. Official record: HAYESVILLE, October 7, 1862-6 p.m. Major-General BUELL: About … Continue reading

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October 5, 1862: Where are the rebels?

Union troops are concentrated in Kentucky, but where are the rebels headed? Where’s Hardee? There’s considerable confusion. HEADQUARTERS, Bloomfield, Ky., October 5, 1862. General THOMAS: My cavalry have occupied Chaplin, on Beech Fork, since daylight. They report Hardee encamped 6 … Continue reading

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September 29, 1862: Buell fired! Or not?

Remember the dispatches that Halleck sent for Buell and Thomas? The ones he later told McKibbin not to deliver? McKibbin delivered them, relieving Buell of command and transferring it to Thomas. But as we see here, Halleck quickly countermanded that … Continue reading

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September 27, 1862: Hang onto those dispatches!

Remember those dispatches Halleck sent for Buell? The ones Colonel McKibbin was not to deliver if Buell won a battle, or if George Thomas wasn’t around? Halleck tells McKibbin to hold off delivering them. Official Record: WASHINGTON, D. C., September … Continue reading

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September 24, 1862: Guess what’s in these dispatches for Buell

Let’s see. Halleck says that if Buell’s won a battle, don’t deliver the dispatches. If Thomas isn’t handy, don’t deliver the dispatches. All very hush-hush. Any guesses as to what these dispatches might say to Buell? Official Record WASHINGTON, September … Continue reading

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September 13, 1862: Thomas, get to Bowling Green

George Thomas *************************************************************** Bragg and Kirby Smith are about to unite their forces in Kentucky, and Buell is desperate to stop them. If they can’t stop Bragg, they’ll have to abandon Nashville, first Confederate capital to fall to the Union. … Continue reading

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June 1, 1862: Halleck repairs the rails

View Larger Map Having taken Corinth, an important rail junction, Halleck needed to repair the railroads destroyed by the fleeing Confederates and proceed up the Tennessee River to Decatur, Alabama. Muscle Shoals lay between Corinth and Decatur as an obstacle … Continue reading

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January 27, 1862: Buell can’t get to east Tennessee

Don Carlos Buell Buell’s back to being unable to move, after Thomas’ success at Mill Springs. Knowing the region, it’s not hard to believe that the roads would have been impassable at this time of year. Once again, Lincoln’s desire … Continue reading

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January 23, 1862: Thomas declines to go into East Tennessee

General Thomas had routed the Confederate forces at the battle of Mill Springs, killing Zollicoffer, and now he needed to follow up on the victory. Although the President was pushing hard for a Union venture in support of partisans in … Continue reading

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