Thomas J. Wood
| Thomas John Wood | |
|---|---|
Thomas John Wood
|
|
| Born |
September 25, 1823 Munfordville, Kentucky |
| Died | February 26, 1906 (aged 82) Dayton, Ohio |
| Place of burial | West Point Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
| Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1845–1868 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held |
2nd Cavalry Regiment IV Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Thomas John Wood (September 25, 1823 – February 26, 1906) was a career United States Army officer. He served in the Mexican-American War and as a Union general during the American Civil War.
During the Mexican-American War, Wood served on the staff of General Zachary Taylor, and later joined the 2nd Dragoons. During the Civil War, he participated in many battles in the Western Theater. Wood commanded a division at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863, during which time he chose to obey a questionable order from commanding general William S. Rosecrans to reposition his division. In doing so, Wood opened a gap in the Union lines, which contributed to the vanquishing of the Federal forces in the battle and their subsequent retreat. Wood and his division took part in the successful Union assault during the Battle of Missionary Ridge in November during the Chattanooga Campaign. He also commanded the IV Corps of the Army of the Cumberland during the Battle of Nashville in December 1864.
Wood was born in rural Munfordville, Kentucky, the son of George Twyman Wood, an army officer, and Elizabeth Helm (through his mother, he was a cousin of Confederate general Benjamin H. Helm). He was an 1845 graduate of the United States Military Academy, finishing 5th in a class of 41 cadets. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
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