Troy in Rensselaer County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

George Henry Thomas

Major General, U.S.A.

— July 31, 1816 – March 28, 1870 —

George Henry Thomas Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010

1. George Henry Thomas Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

★ ★
“The Rock of Chickamauga” A native Virginian who chose to remain in the Union Army. At the outbreak of the Civil War, General Thomas played a crucial role in the war’s outcome with his successes in the war’s Western Theater. With Thomas’ crushing defeat of Hood’s Army of Tennessee at the Battle of Nashville, TN. in December, 1864, Grant was able to press the siege at Petersburg that lead to the surrender of Lee’s army at Appomattox, VA. four months later.

Thomas acquired the sobriquet, “Rock of Chickamauga”, for his gallant stand at the Battle of Chickamauga Creek, GA., Sept. 20, 1863. Subsequently he was given command of the Union Army of the Cumberland.

Dying of natural causes, General Thomas was laid to rest under the eagle before you in April, 1870. You are standing today where 10,000 mourners stood on that spring day including President Grant, his Cabinet, and Generals Meade, Hooker, Sheridan, Sherman, Schofield, and Rosecrans. None of Thomas’ Virginia kin were present. When his sisters learned of his infidelity to the South, they ceased all communications.

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In spite of his attempts at reconciliation, the breach was never closed.

Erected 1992 by the Civil War Society.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1870.

Location. 42° 45.474′ N, 73° 40.173′ W. Marker is in Troy, New York, in Rensselaer County. Memorial is on Oakwood Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Oakwood Cemetery, in section I-1. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Troy NY 12182, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Warren Family Mortuary Chapel: 1861 (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Third Street Burial Grounds, 1824 (about 500 feet away); St. Peter's Cemetery (about 500 feet away); William Henry Freeman (about 800 feet away); Gardner Earl Memorial Chapel & Crematorium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Major General John Ellis Wool (approx. ¼ mile away); Amos Eaton (approx. ¼ mile away); “Uncle Sam” (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy.

Also see . . .
1. George Henry Thomas. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 15, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010

2. George Henry Thomas Marker

2. Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park: History and Culture. National Parks Service website entry (Submitted on May 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Marker in Oakwood Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010

3. Marker in Oakwood Cemetery

Gen. Thomas' grave can be seen here behind the marker.

Grave of George Henry Thomas image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010

4. Grave of George Henry Thomas

Thomas Grave Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010

5. Thomas Grave Inscription

George H. Thomas
Major General U. S. Army

Born Southampton County, VA., July 31, 1816.
Died San Francisco, Cal. March 28, 1870.

Closeup of Eagle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010

6. Closeup of Eagle

George Henry Thomas Gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 20, 2016

7. George Henry Thomas Gravesite

Another view of the eagle mounted atop the Thomas grave marker.

Directions to the George Henry Thomas Gravesite & Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 20, 2016

8. Directions to the George Henry Thomas Gravesite & Marker

The sign on the right is the second of four small signs posted along the way, for visitors entering the cemetery via the Oakwood Ave (Rt. 40) entrance, by the Col. G.L. Willard Camp 154, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, to aid visitors finding their way to the Thomas gravesite. On these signs the rectangle with the two stars is the rank insignia of a two-star general, which is the rank of a Major General.

Maj. Gen. George Henry Thomas image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

9. Maj. Gen. George Henry Thomas

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.01069

Bust of Gen. George Thomas image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, September 16, 2006

10. Bust of Gen. George Thomas

This bust of Gen. Thomas is located in Grant's Tomb in New York City.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,589 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 7, 8. submitted on May 5, 2016, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 9, 10. submitted on November 1, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.