Civil War Union Brigadier General. In 1823, he graduated from the US Military Academy, saw action in the Seminole War and served as General William O. Butler's chief of staff in the Mexican War. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was named Adjutant General and promoted Brigadier General, in March 1863. As punishment for alleged inadequacy, he lost his status as adjutant but retained his rank and was assigned to organize black troops in the South for the remainder of the war. After the war, he played a pivotal role in the political battle between President Johnson and the Congressional Radicals for control of Reconstruction. When the President decided to fire Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton in February 1868, he named Thomas to replace Stanton on an ad interim basis and restored him as Adjutant General. He retired from active duty at the end of President Johnson's term in 1869 and died in Washington, D.C.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. In 1823, he graduated from the US Military Academy, saw action in the Seminole War and served as General William O. Butler's chief of staff in the Mexican War. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was named Adjutant General and promoted Brigadier General, in March 1863. As punishment for alleged inadequacy, he lost his status as adjutant but retained his rank and was assigned to organize black troops in the South for the remainder of the war. After the war, he played a pivotal role in the political battle between President Johnson and the Congressional Radicals for control of Reconstruction. When the President decided to fire Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton in February 1868, he named Thomas to replace Stanton on an ad interim basis and restored him as Adjutant General. He retired from active duty at the end of President Johnson's term in 1869 and died in Washington, D.C.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
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