Thomas, George Henry

George Henry (1816-1870), a noted American general. He was born in Virginia. He was graduated at West Point in 1840. He saw service in the Seminole War and in the war with Mexico. From 1851 to 1854 he was an instructor at West Point. He entered the Civil War a colonel and came out a major-general. He won the victory of Mill Springs, and led the Union center at the battle of Murfreesboro. He defended the Union position at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863, with such pertinacity that he was dubbed the "Rock of Chickamauga." He was commander-in-chief at the battle of Chattanooga. When Sherman set out on his march to the sea, he left Thomas to oppose Hood. A short campaign resulted in the total defeat of the latter at Nashville. His last command was the department of the Pacific. He died at San Francisco. See Chickamauga, etc.