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Conversations with Gen Grant ‑ Hong Kong pgs 295‑296
"We differed about the Nashville campaign, but there could be no difference
as to the effects of the battle. Thomas died suddenly ‑ ‑ very suddenly.
He was sitting in his office, I think at head‑quarters, when he fell back
unconscious. He never rallied. I remember Sherman coming into the White
House in a state of deep emotion with a dispatch, saying, ' I am afraid old
Tom is gone.' The news was a shock and a grief to us both. In an hour we
learned of his death. The cause was fatty degeneration of the heart, if I
remember. I have often thought that this disease, with him long‑seated, may
have led to the inertness which affected him as a commander. At West Point,
when he was commanding cadets in cavalry drill, he would never go beyond a
slow trot. Just as soon as the line began to move, and gain a little speed,
Thomas would give the order, 'Slow Trot.' The boys used to call him 'Slow
Trot' Thomas. I have no doubt, if the truth were known, the disease from
which Thomas died demanded from him constant fortitude, and affected his
actions in the field. Nothing would be more probable.
Also contained on the URL you supplied, p. 448!
Slowtrot
Last edited on Mon Apr 20th, 2009 06:31 pm by slowtrot