ALS written by Major George Henry Thomas while stationed at Fort Mason, Texas, with the 2nd Cavalry, to Adjutant General Colonel Samuel Cooper. Thomas briefly requests copies of several orders issued in 1856. Most of the letter concerns information obtained by Thomas while at Fort Yuma regarding navigability of the Colorado River. Thomas reports on characteristics of the river, American Indians living in its vicinity, and the feasibility of using the river to supply United States soldiers in Utah Territory.
Description:
George Henry Thomas served as a United States Army general in the Civil War. In 1857 Major Thomas was stationed at Fort Mason, Texas, having previously served for a year at Fort Yuma, Arizona Territory., Purchased from William Reese on the Frederick W. & Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana, 1987., and Samuel Cooper was adjutant general and inspector general of the Confederate Army. Before the Civil War, he served as adjutant general of the United States Army.
Subject (Geographic):
Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico)--Navigation and Fort Yuma (Ariz.)
Subject (Name):
Cooper, Samuel, 1798-1876, Thomas, George H. (George Henry), 1816-1870, and United States Army Cavalry, 2nd
