Lorenzo Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lorenzo Thomas
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| Adjutant General of the U.S. Army | |
| In office March 7, 1861 – February 22, 1869 |
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| President | Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson |
| Preceded by | Samuel Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Edward D. Townsend |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 26, 1804 New Castle, Delaware, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 1875 (aged 70) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Oak Hill Cemetery |
| Education | United States Military Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States• Union |
| Branch/service |  United States Army• Union Army |
| Years of service | 1823–1869 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Battles/wars | Seminole Wars Mexican-American War American Civil War |
Lorenzo Thomas (born October 26, 1804 – died March 2, 1875) was an officer in the United States Army. He served as the top administrator for the Army, called the Adjutant General, when the American Civil War began. After the war, he was briefly appointed as the temporary Secretary of War by President Andrew Johnson. This appointment led to President Johnson facing an impeachment process.
Early Life and Military Start
Lorenzo Thomas was born in New Castle, Delaware. He studied at the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1823. After graduating, he became a second lieutenant in the 4th U.S. Infantry.
He fought in the Seminole War in Florida. Later, during the Mexican–American War, he worked as the chief of staff for General William O. Butler. He earned a special promotion, called a brevet promotion, to lieutenant colonel for his actions at the Battle of Monterrey. This promotion became permanent in 1852. From 1853 to 1861, he was the chief of staff for General Winfield Scott, who was the commanding general of the U.S. Army.
Serving in the Civil War
Just before the Civil War started, Thomas was promoted to colonel and became the Adjutant General of the U.S. Army on March 7, 1861. President Abraham Lincoln then promoted him to brigadier general in the regular army on August 10, 1861. A training base in Ohio, Camp Thomas, was named in his honor in July 1861.
Thomas remained the Adjutant General until he retired in 1869. However, from 1863 to 1865, he had a special job. He was sent to recruit African-American soldiers in the Mississippi area.
Thomas did not get along well with Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Because of their disagreements, this special assignment away from Washington, D.C., was seen as a way to remove him from the main office. Major General Edward D. Townsend took over as Adjutant General after Thomas.
From March to July 1862, Thomas led the War Board. This group helped President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton manage the War Department and lead the Union armies. This was during a time when there was no single general in charge of all the armies.
In April 1863, the War Department sent General Thomas to Helena, Arkansas. His mission was to recruit freedmen (formerly enslaved people) into the U.S. Army. He helped create the first black troop in Arkansas. These troops fought for the Union as part of the Bureau of Colored Troops, which was formed in May 1863.
In March 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Thomas for a special promotion to brevet major general in the regular army. The U.S. Senate approved this promotion in July 1866.
After the War
On February 21, 1868, President Johnson tried to replace Secretary Stanton. He appointed Thomas as the temporary Secretary of War. Thomas was still upset about how Stanton had treated him. He was very determined to take over the role.
Some historians believe that Thomas's strong attitude during his testimony at President Johnson's impeachment trial helped Johnson avoid being removed from office. Thomas retired from the Army on February 22, 1869, just ten days before President Johnson left office.
Lorenzo Thomas passed away in Washington, D.C. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown. A military post established in Arizona Territory in 1876, Fort Thomas, was named in his honor.
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