Lot 346
Thomas, George (1816-1870) Union General, called "The Rock of Chickamauga"; he was given the Thanks of Congress for his actions at Franklin and Nashville. Autograph telegram signed ("Geo H. Thomas") as Major General Commanding, 1 page, 8 x 5¼ in. on telegraph stationery, Hd Qrs D[epartment] C[umberland], Nashville, 3 P.M., Nov. 30, 1864. Instructions to "Cypher" at top left. To Admiral S.P. Lee: "As soon as the Ironclads return to Paducah. Please order them into the Cumberland to patroll that river and covoy transports up and down. Hood at present has a cavalry force so much larger than mine that I have been compelled to fall back and concentrate on Nashville. But as soon as I can get my cavalry back from Louisville I feel confident I can drive him back."
At Nashville, Thomas had to organize his forces, intending to pursue Hood and destroy the Confederate army. He had been sent numerous men ("casuals") who had been with Sherman's army at Chattanooga; he also needed horses for several thousand unmounted cavalrymen; even quartermaster personnel needed to be organized into a fighting unit. On Dec. 6, General Grant (who was general-in-chief) ordered Thomas to attack Hood at once, but Thomas delayed, still hoping for horses for his cavalrymen. On the 8th, when he intended to attack, the weather turned cold, and he postponed the attack until the ice melted. Angry at the delays, Grant sent an order to replace Thomas and on Dec. 15 prepared to go west to take command himself. On the 15th, however, Thomas won a resounding victory at the Battle of Nashville, destroying Hood's command, which had been weakened by losses inflicted on them on Nov. 30 by a large part of Thomas' forces under Gen. Scholfield on the same afternoon that Thomas sent this telegram.
A second letter in this lot is an autograph letter from General Benjamin Dana Fearing signed ("Fearing"), 1½ pages, 9¾ x 7¾ in., Head Quarters 3rd Brigade 2d Division, 14th Army Corps Station No. 1. S and H. R.R. Ga, Jan. 21, 1865. To Col C.H. Grosvenoer, having heard that Grant had intended to replace Thomas and angrily defending Gen. Thomas: "We hardly do know yet how you whipped Hood so completely….There was quite an indignation when they [the 14th Army Corps] heard that Genl. Thomas was to be relieved….It would have been a venture that I do not think Gen'l Grant would ever have dared….We think much of the Genl. and no one shall step on his corns without offence….much as I admire the brilliancy and genius of Sherman, [I think] that history will give the palm to Genl. Thomas as the General who has never failed…."
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
Christie's New York, June 9, 2004.
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| Realized $2,520 |
