Bryan M. Thomas
Encyclopedia
Bryan Morel Thomas was an American
soldier, farmer, marshal, and educator. He served as an officer in the United States Army
, and later in the Confederate States Army
during the American Civil War
. He was a son-in-law of Jones M. Withers
, under whom Thomas would serve in the war. Thomas also participated in and was captured during the 1865 Battle of Fort Blakely
, the conflict's final infantry fight.
, and gained his primary education while attending Atlanta's Oglethorpe University
. On July 1, 1854, he entered the United States Military Academy
at West Point
. Thomas graduated four years later and stood 22nd out of 54 cadets. On July 1, 1858, he was brevetted
as a second lieutenant and assigned to the 8th U.S. Infantry.
With the 8th Infantry, Thomas performed garrison duty in New York
and then was stationed in the Utah Territory
. On January 19, 1859, he was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to the 5th U.S. Infantry
. With the 5th Infantry he was stationed at Fort Union
in the New Mexico Territory
until resigning in 1861.
, Thomas resigned his commission in the U.S. Army effective April 6, 1861. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant
in the regular
Confederate
infantry
on March 16, and promoted to major
in the regular service that same day. In July Thomas was assigned to the 18th Alabama Infantry
with the rank of major
. Leaving the line service for staff work, Thomas was assigned to command the ordnance in the Confederate Department of Alabama & West Florida on December 20.
In 1862 Thomas was sent to serve in the Western Theater
, and was given command of the artillery
belonging to a brigade
in the Army of Mississippi
as of March 18. Eight days later Thomas was appointed assistant inspector general
of the brigade, a post he held until that summer. Assigned to the staff of Maj. Gen. Jones M. Withers
, Thomas fought at the Battle of Shiloh
on April 6–7, performing a "commendable part in the battle..." In July he was assigned command of the army's Reserve Corps artillery, a position Thomas would hold for the rest of the year. He also participated in the Kentucky Campaign
that autumn, and then took a brief sick leave. Thomas returned to duty in time to fight during the Battle of Stone's River in late 1862.
Beginning on January 2, 1863, Thomas was assigned as assistant inspector general of the Withers' Division in the renamed Army of Tennessee
. Later in 1863, on the recommendation of Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk
, he was promoted to colonel
and given command of the 12th Mississippi Cavalry. This new regiment, the reserve cavalry
of Brig. Gen. James H. Clanton
's Alabama Brigade, was also variously known as "Col. Thomas's Alabama Cavalry." On August 4, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and that September was assigned brigade command in the defenses in Mobile, Alabama
. His appointment was as a "temporary" general officer in charge of volunteer troops, and was never confirmed by the Confederate Congress
.
In 1865 Thomas participated in the Mobile Campaign as part of the Confederate force holding Fort Blakely
in Baldwin County, Alabama
. Beginning on April 1 Thomas and the fort was put under siege by the Union forces of Maj. Gen.
Edward R. S. Canby. His command—mostly consisting of "boy reserves"—held the right of the Confederate works, on the left was the division of Brig. Gen. Francis Cockrell
, and both under Brig. Gen. St. John Richardson Liddell
, the garrison commander. At 5:30 p.m. on April 9 the attack came, with simple numbers (around 16,000 Union versus 4,475 Confederate) deciding the assault, which lasted only 20 minutes. In the fight 3,700 Confederates, Thomas, Cockrell, as well as Liddell were all captured. Thomas was held until June when he was released from Fort Gaines, Alabama, paroled and returned home.
and then Whitfield County, Georgia
. He then worked as a deputy U.S. Marshal
, and in 1884 he founded a private academy. Finally settling in Dalton
, Thomas served as superintendent of the city's schools from 1891 to 1900. He died in Dalton in 1905 and was buried in the city's West Hill Cemetery.
The Bryan M. Thomas Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
was named in his honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier, farmer, marshal, and educator. He served as an officer in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, and later in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was a son-in-law of Jones M. Withers
Jones M. Withers
Jones Mitchell Withers was a United States Army officer who fought during the Mexican–American War and later served as a Confederate major general during the American Civil War...
, under whom Thomas would serve in the war. Thomas also participated in and was captured during the 1865 Battle of Fort Blakely
Battle of Fort Blakely
-Sources:**-External links:*...
, the conflict's final infantry fight.
Early life and U.S. Army career
Thomas was born in 1836 in Milledgeville, GeorgiaMilledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville is a city in and the county seat of Baldwin County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is northeast of Macon, located just before Eatonton on the way to Athens along U.S. Highway 441, and it is located on the Oconee River. The relatively rapid current of the Oconee here made this an...
, and gained his primary education while attending Atlanta's Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University is a private liberal arts college in Brookhaven, Georgia, an inner suburb of Atlanta. It was chartered in 1835 and named after James Edward Oglethorpe, the state's founder.-History:...
. On July 1, 1854, he entered the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
. Thomas graduated four years later and stood 22nd out of 54 cadets. On July 1, 1858, he was brevetted
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
as a second lieutenant and assigned to the 8th U.S. Infantry.
With the 8th Infantry, Thomas performed garrison duty in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and then was stationed in the Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
. On January 19, 1859, he was promoted to second lieutenant and assigned to the 5th U.S. Infantry
5th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 5th Infantry Regiment is the third-oldest infantry regiment of the United States Army, tracing its origins to 1808...
. With the 5th Infantry he was stationed at Fort Union
Fort Union National Monument
Fort Union National Monument is a unit of the National Park Service located north of Watrous, Mora County, New Mexico, USA. The national monument was founded on June 28, 1954....
in the New Mexico Territory
New Mexico Territory
thumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
until resigning in 1861.
American Civil War service
Following Georgia's secessionSecession in the United States
Secession in the United States can refer to secession of a state from the United States, secession of part of a state from that state to form a new state, or secession of an area from a city or county....
, Thomas resigned his commission in the U.S. Army effective April 6, 1861. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
in the regular
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
on March 16, and promoted to major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the regular service that same day. In July Thomas was assigned to the 18th Alabama Infantry
18th Regiment Alabama Infantry
The 18th Regiment Alabama Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 18th Alabama was mustered in at Auburn, Alabama on September 4, 1861....
with the rank of major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
. Leaving the line service for staff work, Thomas was assigned to command the ordnance in the Confederate Department of Alabama & West Florida on December 20.
In 1862 Thomas was sent to serve in the Western Theater
Western Theater of the American Civil War
This article presents an overview of major military and naval operations in the Western Theater of the American Civil War.-Theater of operations:...
, and was given command of the artillery
Field artillery in the American Civil War
Field artillery in the American Civil War refers to the important artillery weapons, equipment, and practices used by the Artillery branch to support the infantry and cavalry forces in the field. It does not include siege artillery, use of artillery in fixed fortifications, or coastal or naval...
belonging to a brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
in the Army of Mississippi
Army of Mississippi
There were three organizations known as the Army of Mississippi in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. -Army of Mississippi :This army, at times known by the names Army of the West or Army of the...
as of March 18. Eight days later Thomas was appointed assistant inspector general
Inspector General
An Inspector General is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is Inspectors General.-Bangladesh:...
of the brigade, a post he held until that summer. Assigned to the staff of Maj. Gen. Jones M. Withers
Jones M. Withers
Jones Mitchell Withers was a United States Army officer who fought during the Mexican–American War and later served as a Confederate major general during the American Civil War...
, Thomas fought at the Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
on April 6–7, performing a "commendable part in the battle..." In July he was assigned command of the army's Reserve Corps artillery, a position Thomas would hold for the rest of the year. He also participated in the Kentucky Campaign
Confederate Heartland Offensive
The Confederate Heartland Offensive or Kentucky Campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in East Tennessee and Kentucky in 1862 during the American Civil War...
that autumn, and then took a brief sick leave. Thomas returned to duty in time to fight during the Battle of Stone's River in late 1862.
Beginning on January 2, 1863, Thomas was assigned as assistant inspector general of the Withers' Division in the renamed Army of Tennessee
Army of Tennessee
The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River during the American Civil War. It was formed in late 1862 and fought until the end of the war in 1865, participating in most of the significant battles in the Western Theater...
. Later in 1863, on the recommendation of Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk
Leonidas Polk
Leonidas Polk was a Confederate general in the American Civil War who was once a planter in Maury County, Tennessee, and a second cousin of President James K. Polk...
, he was promoted to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and given command of the 12th Mississippi Cavalry. This new regiment, the reserve cavalry
Cavalry in the American Civil War
Cavalry in the American Civil War was a branch of army service in a process of transition. It suffered from emerging technology threats, difficult logistics, and sometimes misguided or inept commanders...
of Brig. Gen. James H. Clanton
James Holt Clanton
James Holt Clanton was an American soldier, lawyer, and legislator. He enlisted in the United States Army for service during the Mexican–American War, and later was a Confederate Army general during the American Civil War...
's Alabama Brigade, was also variously known as "Col. Thomas's Alabama Cavalry." On August 4, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and that September was assigned brigade command in the defenses in Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
. His appointment was as a "temporary" general officer in charge of volunteer troops, and was never confirmed by the Confederate Congress
Congress of the Confederate States
The Congress of the Confederate States was the legislative body of the Confederate States of America, existing during the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865...
.
Fort Blakely
Battle of Fort Blakely
-Sources:**-External links:*...
in Baldwin County, Alabama
Baldwin County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.7% White*9.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*4.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. Beginning on April 1 Thomas and the fort was put under siege by the Union forces of Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Edward R. S. Canby. His command—mostly consisting of "boy reserves"—held the right of the Confederate works, on the left was the division of Brig. Gen. Francis Cockrell
Francis Cockrell
Francis Marion Cockrell was a Confederate military commander and American politician from the state of Missouri. He served as a United States Senator from Missouri for five terms. He was a prominent member of the famed South–Cockrell–Hargis family of Southern politicians.-Early life:Cockrell was...
, and both under Brig. Gen. St. John Richardson Liddell
St. John Richardson Liddell
St. John Richardson Liddell was a prominent Louisiana planter who served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was an outspoken proponent of Southern emancipation of slaves...
, the garrison commander. At 5:30 p.m. on April 9 the attack came, with simple numbers (around 16,000 Union versus 4,475 Confederate) deciding the assault, which lasted only 20 minutes. In the fight 3,700 Confederates, Thomas, Cockrell, as well as Liddell were all captured. Thomas was held until June when he was released from Fort Gaines, Alabama, paroled and returned home.
Postbellum career
After the American Civil War, Thomas worked as a farmer in Dooly CountyDooly County, Georgia
Dooly County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 11,525. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 11,592. The county seat is Vienna....
and then Whitfield County, Georgia
Whitfield County, Georgia
Whitfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 30, 1851. The 2010 Census shows a population of 102,599. The county seat is Dalton.It is part of the Dalton, Georgia, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Civil War:...
. He then worked as a deputy U.S. Marshal
United States Marshals Service
The United States Marshals Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice . The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest federal law enforcement office in the United States; it was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789...
, and in 1884 he founded a private academy. Finally settling in Dalton
Dalton, Georgia
Dalton is a city in Whitfield County, Georgia, United States. It is the county seat of Whitfield County and the principal city of the Dalton, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of both Murray and Whitfield counties. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,128...
, Thomas served as superintendent of the city's schools from 1891 to 1900. He died in Dalton in 1905 and was buried in the city's West Hill Cemetery.
The Bryan M. Thomas Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy
United Daughters of the Confederacy
The United Daughters of the Confederacy is a women's heritage association dedicated to honoring the memory of those who served in the military and died in service to the Confederate States of America . UDC began as the National Association of the Daughters of the Confederacy, organized in 1894 by...
was named in his honor.
Personal
In 1865, Thomas married Mary Jones Withers, the daughter of Maj. Gen. Jones M. Withers, his first commander. Together they had a daughter named Harriet.See also
- List of American Civil War generals
External links
.- civilwarreference.com site biography of Thomas.
- georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu site biography of Thomas.