Thomas had been tarred with the name “Old Slow-Trot”—he had a spinal injury that forced him to gallop slowly—which got to the heart of Grant’s dilemma with him. Thorough in preparation for battle, dogged on defense, Thomas swung into action reluctantly. “He is possessed of excellent judgment, great coolness and honesty, but he is not good on a pursuit,” concluded Grant, who often said, “Thomas is too slow to move, and too brave to run away.”
