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 —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
1. George Henry Thomas Marker
Inscription.
George Henry Thomas. Major General, U.S.A..
★ ★ “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. In spite of his attempts at reconciliation, the breach was never closed..
★ ★ “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. In spite of his attempts at reconciliation, the breach was never closed.
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.
Parks Service website entry (Submitted on May 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
3. Marker in Oakwood Cemetery
Gen. Thomas' grave can be seen here behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
4. Grave of George Henry Thomas
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.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2010
6. Closeup of Eagle
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, April 20, 2016
7. George Henry Thomas Gravesite
Another view of the eagle mounted atop the Thomas grave marker.
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.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
9. Maj. Gen. George Henry Thomas
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.01069
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 1,656 times since then and 44 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.