October 2, 2013 Rear Ranks Entry

From the Rear Ranks:  

Greetings Members!

I hope everyone is enjoying the fine Fall weather we have been experiencing.  This month we are privileged to have one of our own members, Jaan Troltenier presenting.  She will be speaking on "Art of the Civil War."  I believe this is the first time this topic has been shared with the Round Table and I for one am looking forward to it. 

We recently observed the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Chickamauga, the largest battle in the Western Theatre.  I would like to share with you this month an article printed in the New York Times on September 26th, 1863, describing one of the key players in that great battle.  I apologize upfront for my slight prejudice here, but George Thomas is one of my favorite figures from the Civil War.

I look forward to seeing you all this week!

Respectively,

Chip Crowe
President,
Brandywine Valley Civil War Round Table

MAJ.-GEN. THOMAS.

September 26, 1863

 

The full accounts that are reaching us from the hard-contested field near Chickamauga Creek do justice to the services of one of the ablest and most successful Generals in the Union army -- Maj.-Gen. THOMAS. It appears that this gallant soldier bore the brunt of the rebel attack unharmed, on both days of the fight, though the onset in each case was impetuous and overwhelming. It is no discredit to the corps of Gens. MCCOOK and CRITTENDEN that they were broken by the outnumbering hosts of the enemy. The metal of these men had been tried before, and they are known and approved as among the bravest of our Union soldiers. But if a part of the gallant army of ROSECRANS could be driven back without disgrace, it must not be denied that unusual credit and renown are due to that portion which withstood every shock, and dealt horrible slaughter upon a foe so numerous as to be deemed invincible. This is the signal merit of the corps of Gen. THOMAS in the sanguinary battle in Northern Georgia. The stubborn fighting of this portion of the army is all that saved the fortunes of the day, as we understand the contest at this distance; and if the enemy fails to follow up his supposed advantages, it will be mainly because of the damaging blows inflicted by this heroic

 

General. Gen. THOMAS is a Southerner, a native-born Virginian, and will be remembered as the leader of the Union forces in that first fortunate and decisive battle in Kentucky, Mill Spring, in which Gen. ZOLLICOFFER lost his life, and the rebel Gen. CRITTENDEN was driven across the Cumberland and out of the State in such confusion and rout. He has the prestige of success, and richly deserves the gratitude of the nation.