Bryan M. Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bryan Morel Thomas
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Brig. Gen. Bryan Morel Thomas, CSA
photo taken in 1864 or 1865 |
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| Born | May 8, 1836 Milledgeville, Georgia |
| Died | July 16, 1905 (aged 69) Dalton, Georgia |
| Place of burial |
West Hill Cemetery, Dalton
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| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1858–61 (USA) 1861–65 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Second Lieutenant (USA) Colonel (CSA) Brigadier General (CSA) (unconfirmed) |
| Unit | 8th U.S. Infantry 5th U.S. Infantry 18th Alabama Infantry |
| Commands held | Artillery, Reserve Corps, AoM 12th Mississippi Cavalry Thomas's Brigade |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Other work | farmer, Deputy U.S. Marshal, academy headmaster, school superintendent |
Bryan Morel Thomas (born May 8, 1836 – died July 16, 1905) was an American soldier, farmer, and teacher. He was an officer in the United States Army. Later, he joined the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was also the son-in-law of Jones M. Withers, who was one of his commanders. Thomas was captured during the 1865 Battle of Fort Blakely. This battle was the last major infantry fight of the war.
Contents
Growing Up and Early Army Days
Thomas was born in 1836 in Milledgeville, Georgia. He went to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta for his early education. On July 1, 1854, he started at the United States Military Academy in West Point. He graduated four years later. He was 22nd in his class of 54 cadets.
On July 1, 1858, he became a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 8th U.S. Infantry. With this group, Thomas worked in New York and then in the Utah Territory. On January 19, 1859, he was promoted to second lieutenant. He then joined the 5th U.S. Infantry. With the 5th Infantry, he was stationed at Fort Union in the New Mexico Territory. He stayed there until he left the army in 1861.
Serving in the Civil War
When Georgia left the United States, Thomas resigned from the U.S. Army on April 6, 1861. He then joined the Confederate States Army as a first lieutenant on March 16. On the same day, he was promoted to major. In July, Thomas was assigned to the 18th Alabama Infantry. He then moved to a staff role. On December 20, he was put in charge of ordnance for the Confederate Department of Alabama & West Florida.
In 1862, Thomas was sent to the Western Theater of the war. He was given command of the artillery for a brigade in the Army of Mississippi. This happened on March 18. Eight days later, Thomas became an assistant inspector general for the brigade. He held this job until that summer.
Key Battles and Promotions
Thomas joined the staff of Maj. Gen. Jones M. Withers. He fought in the Battle of Shiloh on April 6–7. He played a "commendable part in the battle." In July, he was given command of the army's Reserve Corps artillery. He kept this position for the rest of the year.
He also took part in the Kentucky Campaign in the autumn. After a short sick leave, Thomas returned to duty. He fought in the Battle of Stone's River in late 1862.
Starting on January 2, 1863, Thomas became assistant inspector general for Withers' Division. This division was part of the Army of Tennessee. Later in 1863, he was promoted to colonel. This was suggested by Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk. Thomas was given command of the 12th Mississippi Cavalry. This new group was also known as "Col. Thomas's Alabama Cavalry."
On August 4, 1864, he was named a "temporary" brigadier general. In September, he was given command of a brigade defending Mobile, Alabama. However, the Confederate Congress never officially approved his promotion. So, his highest official rank was colonel.
The Battle of Fort Blakely
In 1865, Thomas was part of the Confederate forces defending Fort Blakely. This fort was in Baldwin County, Alabama. On April 1, Union forces led by Maj. Gen. Edward R. S. Canby began to surround the fort.
Thomas's command mostly included "boy reserves." They held the right side of the Confederate defenses. On the left was the division of Brig. Gen. Francis Cockrell. Both were under Brig. Gen. St. John Richardson Liddell, the fort's commander. At 5:30 p.m. on April 9, the Union forces attacked. There were many more Union soldiers (about 16,000) than Confederates (4,475). The attack lasted only 20 minutes. About 3,700 Confederates were captured. This included Thomas, Cockrell, and Liddell. Thomas was held until June. He was then released from Fort Gaines, Alabama, and sent home.
Life After the War
After the American Civil War, Thomas became a farmer. He worked in Dooly County and then Whitfield County, Georgia. Later, he worked as a deputy U.S. Marshal. In 1884, he started a private school.
Finally, he settled in Dalton. Thomas served as the superintendent of the city's schools from 1891 to 1900. He died in Dalton in 1905. He 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.
Family Life
In 1865, Thomas married Mary Jones Withers. She was the daughter of Maj. Gen. Jones M. Withers, who had been his first commander. They had one daughter named Harriet. Thomas was also a member of Rocky Mountain Lodge No. 205 (Missouri Registry) in Utah Territory from 1858 to 1869.
