Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-30
INTERESTING SCENE.
Tohc Editors oil The Enquirer. =
JERUSALEM, March goth, ls

i IUmc EGlt0Ts " INC ISHq"pe'' 1910
JERUSALEM, March goth, ls49.
Me.srs. Editors: Pursuant 10 previous nolIce
large and respectable portion OF The cil'zens OF
Souina mpton had assembled al Jerusalem 10 W.T.
ness The pleasing and interesting ceremony OF
| tho nresen,ation OF a sword 10 Major George A
Thomas of the United States Army, presented
| IN him nv the citizens Of his native county, lol
| his GALLANT conduct in the Mexican war. Inc
| Hon. John Y Mason, who haG been seiec'eu 70
| make the presentation, came from w dsh,ps'on
with great Inconvenience, II unhe WIN NE u.u
friends and countymen in dong honor W n.s
caIIant Young friend, and par,aking OF The iesli-
vi,ies 81 The occasion. He appeared among US
again ailer an absence Of five years. spent ID tne
| lahorious and aIdous service Of his counITy-ihe
same nrbane, polished gentleman as Of Old
Time seems 10 have dealt lightly with him, and
ne look, as though he has many years yet Ieil al
his coualTy's call, 10 devote 10 her service. al
| IL O'clock, Judge Mason projected 10 aGdresS
Major Thomas and the assembled audience IN
the Court House. Ia touching strain, ne spoke
OF the orphan hoy who, with no Glher heritage
Than that Of iar and spotless name, had gone
10 devote himself 10 his counTy's service; OF lis
passing his academic career al west Point
without receiving one marx vi aemerii; OIL ms
arduous service in the Florida war, where he
won tie first lanrels that aIaced his youthful
brow; Of his conduct al Fort Brown and al Mon
lerey. where he attracted the notice Of his dlsin-
euished commander; OF his services in the hard
fought battle OF Bnena Vista, where, when our
eyhausie,. troops lhinned ranks, and the rushing
columns o The Mexicans seemed 10 show that
all was lost. along with Bragg, Sherman and
other gallant spirits he rushed 10 he rescue, and
with his artillery hurled death and cismay amid
iha ssrried ranks Of The advancing foe-lhey
stopped, rceled, and broke like wave on the
rock, and The day was won, hat NE citizens oi
his county IN honurng such merit, honoreG
themselves; and, presenting him win his sword,
told him 10 take il, aud never to draw II except
in his counlrg's canse. As he concluded, many
a moislened eve and quivciiu2 lip gave token OF
The magic spell which his chasle and burning
epauence exercised over The hearts OF The listen.
ing throng.
Major Thomas noble specimen OF the Anne
rican soldier and the Virginia gentleman, VINO
is as modest as he is brave, SAID, IN reply, lfai
he t.lt highly hunofcd by The compimeht DIS
countymen had done him mat day; MAJ, IG Inc
service OF his county, ne mad done no more
than his duty; lha, Whatever reputation ne Inigh'
have acquired, was OWING more 10 Inc kihd no
lice OF his distinguished commander man any
peculiar merit Of his own; mat Nc Wodli eVei
hold in grateful recollection The honor they had
ubUt hiiil udl day; dua.i 'hhi4'e - f.S'9
ed himself never 10 draw it except in defence u
honor and his Country.
Soon after large number OF gentlemen,
among whom werr several rom The ncigh5ofihs
counties, "a, down, with cur invited guests, i0an
elegant entertainment, prcparet ~ Capt. Geo.
w. Newsom, where in song and sentiment, IN
the feast u reason and in lul How 81 soGl, ihey
passed The evening happily away
r. Richmond Wig wil please copy.