Honoring the Rock of Chickamauga

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

As some Dopers know, I’m a big admirer of George H. Thomas, a notable Civil War general.

I’m sending this letter today. Feel free to adapt it as you see fit, or write an all-new one, and send it to the USPS’s advisory committee. It’d be great to get a stamp for Pap. Thanks!

*Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Development
U.S. Postal Service
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington DC 20260-3501

To the Committee:

I write to urge you to approve a stamp to honor Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, a key U.S. Army officer of the Civil War, in time for the bicentennial of his birth, July 31, 2016.

Thomas won the nickname “The Rock of Chickamauga” for his brave and steadfast stand in that 1863 battle. Three days after he saved the army there, President Lincoln wrote, “It is doubtful whether his heroism and skill… has ever been surpassed in the world.” Thomas was compared repeatedly by his contemporaries - including James Garfield, William T. Sherman, O.O. Howard and William Rosecrans - to another military Virginian of impeccable standing who placed loyalty to the United States over that of his home state: George Washington.

Maj. Gen. Thomas had a strong, consistent record of battlefield leadership, most notably at Mill Springs, Corinth, Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Nashville. Even when the generals under whom he served lost battles, “Pap” Thomas proved his resolute courage and absolute reliability, standing his ground and saving the day when others fled. Of all his peers in the pantheon of leaders in blue, a recent biographer noted, “Thomas was the only Union general to destroy two Confederate armies, and the only one… to save two Union armies from annihilation by his personal valor and skill.” Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C. and Fort Thomas, Kentucky, were named for him.

George H. Thomas is, I respectfully suggest, clearly worthy of a bicentennial stamp next year. Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours, *

2

I would like to see Thomas so honored as well, in part for the legendary comment he made after the Civil War battles for Chattanooga. A chaplain asked him if the Union dead should be sorted out and buried by state. Thomas replied:

“Mix ‘em up. I’m tired of states’ rights.”

3

Cool stuff. My father worked at the park in the early 40s. I’ll send a letter out in his name.

4

Thomas is the poster boy for why contemperory sources can be less reliable then later ones. Him and Grant did not get along, which is one of the reasons why he has a reputation for being “slow”, in his otherwise excellent memoirs, Grant attacks him incessantly, only near the end rather ungraciously praising him in two lines.

5

True enough, and since he died in 1870 there wasn’t much if any time granted to him to write his own memoirs. Given that he was a Virginian by birth, his home state gave him no respect like they did Lee and Jackson, and the North had their own heroes (Grant, Sherman, Sheridan) to praise and honor.

I remember something the popular historian Bruce Catton once wrote about Thomas; only three times during the Civil War were Conferederate Armies completely routed from a battlefield; in all three cases, the Commander or the General who struck the blow leading to the rout was "Old Slow Trot’. (Mill Springs and Nashville he commanded at; his Corps at Chattanooga was the one that climbed Missionary Ridge and broke the Confederate center).

Yeah, I’ll send that letter. “Pap” Thomas has earned that much from this country.

6

It wasn’t just his home state. Thomas’ family disowned him. When his sister was informed about his death in 1870, she replied “My brother died in 1861.”

7

Definitely strikes me as a worthy cause.

8

Thanks, all! Pass along to any like-minded friends. Best if it doesn’t become a form letter, though - tweak it to make it your own, or write something entirely original.

Much obliged.

9

I prefer ‘Slow Trot’ as it better describes his demeanor (calm, resolute) even though it wasn’t meant as a compliment. He was certainly a solid commander and underappreciated in his time and now.

He deserves a stamp.

10

This is a good idea. (And thanks for the PM, by the way.) I agree that Thomas is not as well known as he should be.

11

Bumped.

I heard back from the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, declining my proposal, and advising that ideas for stamps “should be received at least three years prior to proposed issuance.” They suggested arranging for a commemorative pictorial cancellation, which I’ll now look into.

12

Too bad. I just read his biography, which pointed out he was the only general, Union or Confederate, who was never defeated in the field of battle.

13

If it’s any consolation, there is a prominent traffic circle in Washington, DC named for Thomas that includes a great statue of the man.

14

See my letter in the OP.

15

2020 is at least three years from now and is the 150th anniversary of his death. Just sayin’.

16

Sorry, missed that. Maybe the NPS could commemorate the event at the circle.

17

Thanks. I adapted my letter from the OP and have written to the USPS for the 150th.

Thomas Bicentennial commemorative postmarks are available for a limited time from these three post offices, associated with Thomas’s birth, his stand at Chickamauga, and his death and burial, respectively:

U.S. Post Office
Attn: Maj. Gen. Thomas cancellation
29174 South Main St.
Newsoms VA 23874

U.S. Post Office
Attn: Maj. Gen. Thomas cancellation
207 West 10th St.
Chickamauga GA 30707

U.S. Post Office
Attn: Maj. Gen. Thomas cancellation
400 Broadway
Troy NY 12180

It’s free. Send already-stamped envelopes and an SASE with sufficient postage for their return to you.