Thomas Jefferson Foster was a soldier and a prominent politician. He served at the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
Background
Thomas Jefferson Foster was born on July 11, 1809, in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. He was the son of Robert Coleman, a prominent state politician, and Ann Hubbard Foster. The family had moved westward, first to Kentucky and then to Tennessee, from their native state of Virginia.
Career
In 1830, Thomas Jefferson Foster developed numerous manufacturing interests and by 1860 he had become wealty.
Foster volunteered for service in the Confederate Army and was named colonel of the 27th Alabama Infantry (known as Foster’s Regiment). He helped to construct Fort Henry. He also served in both permanent Confederate Houses. He supported conscription and stood with the Davis administration in the first Congress, but turned against it in the second. He served on the Conference, Indian Affairs, Territories and Public Lands, and Accounts and other committees in his long political service to the Confederacy. When the war ended, he returned to his plantation in Lawrence County. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1865 but was not seated because of restrictions on his public service.
Achievements
Politics
Foster was a strong Whig, though he never sought office before 1861. He also opposed secession firmly, and after Lincoln's election, he urged a conference of the southern states to seek redress within Union.
In 1862, he introduced a comprehensive bill to promote industry and mining, and he worked continuously to exempt from military servicemen in industry and agriculture.
Views
As a congressman Foster was primarily interested in promoting the economic development and fiscal stability of the Confederacy.
Personality
Thomas Jefferson Foster was known as a "graceful orator and skillful debater."
Connections
In 1836 Thomas married Virginia Prudence Watkins Foster. The couple moved to Alabama and he began planting on his wife's estate near Moulton.