Thomas Jefferson Foster

Thomas Jefferson Foster (July 11, 1809 – February 24, 1887) was a soldier and prominent politician serving the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. He served two terms in the Confederate Congress and was later elected to the United States Congress, but was denied his seat.

Thomas Jefferson Foster
Confederate Congress
Personal details
BornJuly 11, 1809
Nashville, Tennessee
DiedFebruary 24, 1887(1887-02-24) (aged 77)
Resting placeFlorence Cemetery[1]
Florence, Alabama
Political partyWhig[2]
Spouse(s)Virginia Prudence Watkins
ProfessionPlanter
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States
Branch/service Confederate States Army
Rank Colonel
Unit 27th Alabama Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

Foster was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of a prominent state politician, Robert C. Foster, who had been president of the state senate. At the age of 24, Foster married Virginia Watkins, daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Lawrence County, Alabama. The couple moved to Courtland, Alabama, where Foster amassed a fortune from his own successful farming endeavors.

With his state's secession, Foster raised the 27th Alabama, an infantry regiment in the Confederate army, and served as its first colonel. He was instrumental in urging the construction of Fort Henry to defend the vital Tennessee River, serving in the fort under General Lloyd Tilghman until its forces surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant.

He then represented Alabama as a representative in the First Confederate Congress and the Second Confederate Congress, where he became known as a "graceful orator and skillful debater."[3] He served on the Committee on Territories and Public Lands and the Committee on Accounts.

In 1865 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, but as a result of the policies of the Radical Republicans and Reconstruction, former Confederates such as Foster were denied their congressional seats.

References

This article incorporates facts obtained from: Lawrence Kestenbaum, The Political Graveyard

Notes
  1. "Thomas Jefferson Foster". Find A Grave. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  2. Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress. LSU Press. 1975. p. 89.
  3. Foster's obituary, Moulton Advertiser, February 24, 1887.
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