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Note-After the Civil War, General George H. Thomas stood a very real chance of running for President of the United States. He was popular with the soldiers under his command and he was recognized as one of the trio of officers who had saved the Union. In fact several states were proposing to push him onto the ballot for the upcoming elections. Even President Andrew Johnson was considering him to replace General Grant as General-in-Chief of the Armies, it was only because he rejected the idea that it never happened. But what could have been if one of the most popular generals of the Union had run, and won the presidency? I will accept any ideas and or submissions for entries along the way, so go ahead and think some up after the first posts.



I have been beset on all sides to take up campaigning for the presidency of this reformed Union on all sides. Many former men of mine cheer my names from Ohio to New York, and many people in the south are proposing my names in their hometowns, and several organizations set up to perpetuate this idea have taken hold. I feel that I am unfit for this office as my dispositionwould not be suitable to working in such an atmosphere. To be forced to cajole and persuade others to follow through on promises and offers is inherently against my nature as such a thing would be repugnant to me. However, if my nation called me to do such a task, I would not hesitate to do so, for my duty is to my country, not myself. May this letter find you well and in good spirits.
-a letter from General George H. Thomas, to his wife Frances Thomas, dated October 21st, 1867.


National organizations spread across the country with the coming elections next year. The Democrats fearful of having been tainted somewhat by the close impeachment proceedings on Andrew Johnson wished to have a strong and recognized figure as their candidate. They were dealing with confident and self assured Republicans, who could not believe their luck in having an unpopular President from the opposing side in office. In their judgment, a strong and well known war hero would gain them better votes. And who better that Grant, the hero of the Wilderness, and the man who met Lee at Appomattox and ended the war? The Democrats needed someone to stand up to Grant, someone on equal footing and with a chance of winning. During one meeting of the core Democratic chair members and committeemen, a discussion was bandied about who was to be the candidates. After several candidates were rejected, either being too extreme or too much of being in one committee members opinion “a bunch of old cocks, preening and strutting, but signifying nothing.” They passed over several without any good qualifications to their abilties, before coming to the momentous decision of that year. Some wanted George H. Thomas as their nominee for President. The only problem was convincing him to be a candidate for nomination. They had until the fourth of July before the nomination was to be voted on at the Democratic National Convention, to be held in Tammany Hall New York City. They had much work to do.
-Professor Pierson L. Carlson, in The Lion of Washington: The Thomas Presidency 1869-1881 published by Del-Ray Books 1990.



Much has been bandied about concerning the abilities of Grant as a leader. I shall not attempt to put slurs against a man, but I shall say, to be a supporter of his, one must be very brave. I shall not say it is easy being one of Thomas, but having served under him at Mill Springs and at Nashville; I can say without a doubt I would support him for all his worth. He is a man who is a strong, fair man, who does not use bad judgment in cases, but reason and fair reparations to those concerned. He protects his men, but does not hide them. If one had transgressed against his orders, one should not care to be at the brunt of his displeasure. But if a man had been slurred against, or conspired against by his subordinates, he was quick to prevent disunity and chaos. Many of our organization have chosen to support this man not only here in this state, but across the nation, from Philadelphia to Battle Creek, Sacremento to Atlanta, all are gathering to support this man. We expect that we shall hear slurs and untruths against his character, but we shall respond with dignity as best as possible.
Signed, a Supporter of Thomas for President
-Ohio supporter of Thomas, Francis P. Longhew, in a letter to the editor of the Toledo Blade, April 12th, 1868.
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