circa 1861-1865

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Photograph

Title: As major general, vignette bust portrait

Graphite inscription on verso "Bvt. Major Gen Tower Col. rtd. 1/13/74." Ink inscription on verso "Zealous B. Tower, Brig. Gen. and Bv't. Maj. Gen. Vols.; Lieut. Col. Eng. and Bv't. Maj. Gen. U.S.A." Photographers imprint on verso: "Morse's Gallery of the Cumberland 25 Cedar St. opposite Commercial Hotel Nashville, Tenn."

GLC05111.02.0797

December 26, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Frances Lucretia Thomas

Letter addressed to Mrs. Thomas (possibly Frances Thomas, formerly Kellogg), wife of Union General George H. Thomas. Tower, chief engineer of the defenses of Nashville, describes the December 15-16 Battle of Nashville. Thomas, commanding Union forces at Nashville against Confederate General John Bell Hood. Referring to Thomas, he writes "to inform you how beautifully matters have transpired here since you left & how glorious the Gen has demolished the Rebel Army of Hood who had the presumption to fancy it in his power to besiege Nashville..." Mentions Generals John McAllister Schofield (…

GLC01654

December 25, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William P. Fessenden

General Tower, chief engineer of Union defenses at Nashville, describes the Battle of Nashville to Fessenden, Secretary of the Treasury. He relates the strategies of Union Generals George Henry Thomas, Andrew Jackson Smith, James Harrison Wilson, and John McAllister Schofield, among several others. He reports on the actions of Confederate forces commanded by General John Bell Hood. he states "Probably at this date we have 8,000 prisoners. Hood's Army must be sadly demoralized & broken up. His force was counted at 40,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry. If he escapes with half that number he…

GLC00849.01

circa December 25, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Map

Title: [Pencil illustration depicting the area near Nashville, Tennessee]

Autograph map depicts roads, rivers, fortifications and estimated troop numbers and locations near Nashville. Tower, chief engineer of Union defenses at Nashville, possibly transmitted this map with a letter (refer to GLC00849.01) to William P. Fessenden, Secretary of the Treasury.

GLC00849.02

December 25, 1864

Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900

Map

Title: Battles before Nashville December 15 & 16, 1864 between U. S. Army commanded by Major Gen'l G. H. Thomas and Rebel Forces under Gen'l Hood

Autograph (lithograph) map entitled "Battles before Nashville 15 & 16 December 1864 between U. S. Army commanded by Major Gen'l G. H. Thomas and Rebel Forces under Gen'l Hood." Tower, chief engineer of Union defenses at Nashville, possibly transmitted this map with a letter (refer to GLC00849.01) to William P. Fessenden, Secretary of the Treasury. The date of the map in the records corresponds to the date of this letter. Depicts the position of troops, hand colored to signify different days of the battle and generals participating in the fight. Documents rebel forces and the location of…

GLC00849.03