Major General George Henry Thomas, (sculpture).

Major General George Henry Thomas, (sculpture).

Ward, John Quincy Adams, 1830-1910, sculptor.

Smithmeyer, John L., 1832-1908, architect.

Pelz, Paul J., architect.

Chase, M. K., contractor.

Smithmeyer & Pelz, architectural firm.

Bureau Brothers, founder.

Major General George Henry Thomas, (sculpture).

Thomas Circle Monument, (sculpture).

Modeled 1878. Dedicated Nov. 19, 1879.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite.

Sculpture: approx. 16 x 15 x 5 1/2; Base: approx. 178 in. x 30 ft. 10 in. x 12 ft. 3 in.

BUREAU BROS. & HEATON/FOUNDERS PHILA. (Left base of statue:) J. Q. A. WARD./Sculp. 1879. (Base front:) MAJ. GEN. GEORGE H. THOMAS/SAN FRANCISCO CAL./MARCH 28, 1870 (Base back:) ERECTED BY HIS COMRADES/OF THE SOCIETY OF/THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND signed Founder's mark appears.

Equestrian portrait of General Thomas with beard and moustache, dressed in his military uniform. He holds his hat in his proper right hand down at his proper right side, and the reins in his proper left hand. He stares out into the distance as if surveying a battlefield. The horse is standing still, its head raised and mouth open. The sculpture rests atop an oval-shaped base adorned with a row of stars around the top, four architectural details around the sides, and two medallions, each decorated with a star and olive branches.

Portrait male -- Thomas, George H. -- Full length

Occupation -- Military -- Major General

Outdoor Sculpture -- District of Columbia -- Washington

Administered by United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, District of Columbia

Located Thomas Circle, Massachusetts & Vermont Avenues, Washington, District of Columbia

Major General George H. Thomas (1816-1879), although a Virginian, graduated from West Point and fought for the Union during the Civil War. When he defeated Confederate General Braxton Bragg at Chickamauga in 1863, he was promoted to brigadier general and given command of the Union Army forces at Cumberland. This sculpture was erected by the Society of the Army of the Cumberland who awarded the commission though competition. The sculpture was cast from bronze cannons. IAS files contain an article from the Washington Post, Jan. 26, 1960, which states that Harry Truman noted that the general's horse was originally modeled as a mare, but when it was pointed out that General Thomas always rode stallions, the sculptor made the appropriate changes, although the more delicate head and neck of the mare remain. IAS files also contain an excerpt from Jannelle Warren-Findley's August 1, 1985 report for the National Park Service entitled, "A Guide to Selected Statues, Monuments and Memorials," National Capital Parks - Central, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. (RFQ 3-4-1919) which includes a detailed history of the fountain's condition and conservation treatments, a list of bibliographic sources, and notes to additional information found in National Park Service files.

In January 1939, the sculpture was set up on a steel track and moved about 30 feet during construction of the underpass. The sculpture was moved back to it original location in July 1939. Goode's publication notes that the dedication date was November 9th, 1879, but National Park Service files indicate the dedication was held on November 19th, 1879. Smithmeyer & Pelz designed the base. M. K. Chase was the contractor responsible for the stonework.

Index of American Sculpture, University of Delaware, 1985

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, DC0053, 1989.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, pg. 283.

Sharp, Lewis I., "John Quincy Adams Ward Dean of American Sculpture," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1985, no. 61.

Smithsonian Institution Research Expeditions Volunteer Project, 1991.

Monumental News, June 1894, pg. 281.

Michael Richman, SAAM curatorial assistant, 1967-1969.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey, 1993.

Sharp, Lewis I., "John Quincy Adams Ward Dean of American Sculpture," Newark: University of Delaware Press, 1985, pg. 193.

Goode, James M., "The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C., A Comprehensive Historical Guide," Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1974, H-10.

For study of horse see: 88180076.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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