Was General Thomas Slow at Nashville? by Henry V. Boynton

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Was General Thomas Slow at Nashville? by Henry V. Boynton

(1 User reviews) 452

By Frederick Richter Posted on Mar 18, 2026

In Category - Civilizations

Authors: Boynton, Henry V. (Henry Van), 1835-1905 Published By : Boynton, Henry V. (Henry Van), 1835-1905

Book Language: English

Hey, have you ever wondered how history gets written and rewritten? I just finished this fascinating little book that feels like watching a courtroom drama from 150 years ago. It's called 'Was General Thomas Slow at Nashville?' and it's basically one Civil War veteran's passionate defense of his old commander. After the war, some military reports claimed General George H. Thomas was too cautious and slow during a key battle in Tennessee, almost letting victory slip away. Henry Boynton, who fought under Thomas, couldn't stand by and let that version of history stand. So he wrote this book, digging into official records and firsthand accounts to build his case. It's not just dry facts—it's a soldier fighting for his general's legacy, trying to set the record straight against what he saw as unfair criticism from other Union commanders. If you like stories about reputation, loyalty, and how the 'truth' of a battle can depend entirely on who's telling the story, you'll get hooked by this old-school historical argument.

File: Was General Thomas Slow at Nashville? by Henry V. Boynton

Let's set the scene: It's 1864, near the end of the Civil War. Confederate General John Bell Hood makes a desperate gamble, marching his army into Tennessee. Waiting for him near Nashville is the Union's "Rock of Chickamauga," General George H. Thomas. Thomas builds up his forces and fortifies the city while everyone back in Washington—including a very impatient General Ulysses S. Grant—wires him daily, demanding he attack now. Thomas waits. For two weeks, he waits for better weather, for more troops, for the right moment. Finally, he strikes and wins a massive, crushing victory that effectively destroys Hood's army.

So what's the problem? The victory was complete, but the delay caused a huge controversy. Other Union leaders, especially those on Grant's staff, argued Thomas had been dangerously slow, risking the whole campaign. Official reports began to reflect this view. Thomas's reputation took a hit.

Why You Should Read It

This book is Henry Boynton's rebuttal. He's not a detached historian; he was there. You can feel his loyalty and frustration on every page. He goes line-by-line through the official records, pointing out contradictions and presenting evidence that Thomas's "slowness" was actually careful, brilliant preparation. Boynton argues that rushing would have been a disaster and that Thomas's plan from the start was to wait for the perfect moment to annihilate Hood, not just push him back.

What I love is that it shows how history is made. The first draft isn't always right. This is one man's mission to protect a legacy, and it makes you question: Do we remember commanders for their flashy, quick victories, or for the thoughtful, complete ones that save more lives in the long run?

Final Verdict

This is a niche but gripping read. It's perfect for Civil War buffs who enjoy diving into tactical debates, or for anyone interested in the messy process of how historical reputations are formed and defended. It's not a general overview of the battle; it's a focused, passionate legal brief from the 19th century. If you enjoy seeing history argued with fire and evidence, you'll find Boynton's defense of "Old Slow Trot" absolutely compelling.