Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900 to Frances Lucretia Thomas
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01654 Author/Creator: Tower, Zealous Bates, 1819-1900 Place Written: Nashville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: December 26, 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.5 cm, Width: 25.1 cm Order a Copy
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 (Union) and Smith (possibly Andrew Jackson Smith), James Blair Steedman, and George Henry Thomas. He writes "Being with the General I had a good opportunity to know what was going on. He was very cool self reliant & confident & has gained one of the most brilliant victories of the war. Hood lost about 6000 prisoners & upwards of 50 guns in their fights & his army was demoralized..."
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