Thomas was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1836 by Congressman John Y. Mason, who warned Thomas that no nominee from his district had ever graduated successfully. Entering at age 20, Thomas was known to his fellow cadets as "Old Tom," and he became instant friends with his roommates, William T. Sherman and Stewart Van Vliet. He made steady academic progress, was appointed a cadet officer in his second year, and graduated 12th in a class of 42 in 1840.Einolf, pp. 22–29. He was appointed a second lieutenant in Company D, 3rd U.S. Artillery.Eicher, p. 527; Einolf, p. 30.
Thomas was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1836 by Congressman John Y. Mason who warned Thomas that no nominee from his district had ever graduated successfully. Entering at age 20, Thomas was known to his fellow cadets as "Old Tom," and he became instant friends with his roommates, William T. Sherman and Stewart Van Vliet. He made steady academic progress, was appointed a cadet officer in his second year, and graduated 12th in a class of 42 in 1840Einolf, pp. 22–29. He was appointed a second lieutenant in Company D, 3rd U.S. Artillery.Eicher, p. 527; Einolf, p. 30.