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"Full of notions and never weary of arguments.”
Thomas Worthington, Jr. was born March 18, 1807, the same year the family moved into Adena Mansion . He was the fifth child of the Worthington’s. Thomas was a good student and excelled at West Point with a promising military career. At this time, however, his father was critically ill in New York and Thomas, Jr. was called to his bedside. He was the only family member with Worthington when he died June 20, 1827.
Thomas Jr. inherited the flour mill in Logan and he managed that for a period of time. He also served briefly in the Mexican War. At the start of the Civil War, Tom helped organize the 46th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry where he ranked as colonel. The group was called to Tennessee to support General Grant’s invasion up the Tennessee River. April 6, 1862, the Union Army was surprised by a Confederate attack at Pittsburg Landing. It was this Battle of Shiloh that would define the rest of Thomas’ life.
Thomas showed an unfortunate habit of criticizing his superior officers. He felt the Battle of Shiloh had been a tragedy made worse by Union officers who ignored the certainty of attack by the Confederates and were negligent in their strategy. Failing to follow military procedure, he accused General Grant of incompetent leadership and highly criticized General Sherman. General Sherman ordered Thomas arrested. In August of 1862, Thomas was court-martialed on charges of conduct unbecoming an officer and several counts of drunkenness on duty. The court found Worthington guilty of some of the counts and relieved him of command. He was 55 years old at the time.
The rest of Thomas’ life was spent writing books and pamphlets and speaking about his views of the Battle of Shiloh. Blunder of the Rebellion was a book published on the subject to tell what he felt was the “true history” of Shiloh. He was cared for by friends in Washington D.C. where he remained to plead his cause and attempt to retrieve his pension. Thomas Worthington Jr. died there in February of 1884 at the age of 77. He is buried near other family members in Grandview Cemetery, Chillicothe.
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Adena Mansion and Gardens
Thomas Worthington & Family
Tecumseh
The Old Northwest Territory
Ohio Statehood
Great Seal of the State of Ohio
Benjamin Latrobe
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