Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-12-21
MoNoRs TO GENERAL THOMAS.

lHoMAs-WHAT THE OLD WAR-lIoRsr
DID FOR TENNESSEE -ENrHUsIAsM ON
THE OCCASION.
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL THOMAS.
General Thomas and Staff arrived at Nash
vie on Saturday morning at five O'Clock.
! They proceeded TO the State House. aud
were informally received by the Legsla-
1--WE Joint Committee The day was so in.
clement that the published programme Of
Inc procession was abandoned. At half past
eleven O'Clock the party repaired to the Capt.
Iol IN carriages through the principal streets.
me capitol was gorgeously decorated with
ies'oons OF evergreens and flags, the gui-
dons and the cOlors belonging to Tennessee
regiments, which they had brought through
the Mexican war and against the Rebellion
The flights of stairs leading to the second
story OF the legislative hall was similarly
adorned.
General Thomas was conducted to the
! speakers seat amidst vociierous cheering.
Governor Brownlow and Senator Grierson,
the Speaker of the Senate, were seated on
'hs lett, the latter being chosen Presiden; OF
the assemblage.
| LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS OF WELCOME.
After prayer by the Rev. DIR. Allen, the
Legislative Committee on Resolutions re-
ported the following, which were unani-
mously adopted.
hesolred, That the Legislature Of Tennes-
see hlled with the most profound gratitude
toward their distinguished guest, Major Gen
eral George ii. Thomas, for his successful
defense of the State Capital, extend to him,
on the anniversary of his glorious victory, a
sincere and cordial welcome
Resolred, That the loyal men of Tennessee
emulate the example OF patriotism and devo-
iion to laws restored TO them by the gal
liant defenders OF the Union, and pledge
their support anew to the cause of freedom,
humanity and progress
GOVERNOR BRowNLow's ADDRESS.
Atler the oongratulatory address, follow cd
nY band playing Hail TO the Chief, " Gov
ernor Brownlow presented the gold medal
with these remarks.
"Malor-General Thomas:-The pleasant
| uu'y deNolYes upon me to present to you, on
TINS interesting occasion, an elegant gold
nleuAi, Noleu TO you nearly year ago, by
the General Assembly of Tennessee, whose
members, both Senators and Representa-
tives now surround you Although this
heual Is the first article OF the kind yet
executed IN America, It's value to you does
MOI consist IN the amount OF precious metal
| II contains, nor yet IN the exquisite workman
snip OF art, but in the motive which prompt.
ed the gift, and the patriotic source from
winch II originates. II is intended to ex-
press the high regard in which you aie held
uy the loyal Tennessee Legislature AS mill
tary chieitain, a tried and devoted patriot.
ana modest, unassumming gentleman.
ueheiali IN no spirit of tlattery, / must be
permitted to say 10 you, that in the great
struggle Tor four years which recently CON
yulsed the nation, of military commanders
you are, perhaps, the only one that never lost
6attle, and in the Government of armies
and departments, never made mistakes
There is something appropriate in the pre-
| sehlallon OF this medal to-day, and in this
Capital, on the anniversary OF the battle OF
Nashville Two years ago to-day, at the
mead OF gallant army you were engaged in
deadly conflict with the enemies of your
| country around this city, and two years ago
to morrow you closed that conflict by saving
TINS city from ruin, and sending out the
hordes OF treason howling into Dixie, away
down South. The Dixie portion of the
| enemy remained to receive ut your hands
| their long lost rights, the only right that
traitors are entitled to-funeral rites Trust
ing that you may never have occasion to com.
nhand another army of the field of carnage.
and that you may live long to enjoy the
| fruits of victory you have contributed TO
achieve, ! hand this medal over TO one who
will never dlshonor it,"
RECEPTION OF THE MEDAL.
as General Thomas received the gift the
whole assemblage broke forth into tumul.
tuons applause. lie replied as follows:
GENERAL THOMAS REPLY.
Governor Brownlow and Gentlemen of
| the Senate and House of Representatives Of
the Legislature of Tennessee Profoundly
sensible of the high honors YOU have this
| day conferred on me, confess myselftotallv
unable to thank you in appropriate terms.
l3e assured, however, of my sincere appre-
eiation OF these honors, and particularly the
| compliments which have been awarded to
the officers and soldiers Who participated
with me in defeating the enemy two y.ars
ago this day at Nashville.
some twenty years ago received my di-
ploma Mt the Military Academy, and soon
| alter commission in the army. On re.
celying the commission took the oath to
sustain the Constitution of the United States.
to obey all the officers of the Government
placed over me have faithfully endeay
ored to keep that oath as a solemn pledge on
my part to return to the Government some
little service for the great benefit had re-
ceived in obtaining my education at the
! Academy (Rencwed applause)
While cannot return to speak OF myself
without the fear ofbeing accused of epotism
can with pleasure and sincere pride speak
OF the bravo soldiers and officers who, al the
commencement of the late war, voluntarily
came forth from the private walk of life and
devoted their lives to the defense of the
Government established by our fathers
(Arplause.) II has been my pleasure on ALI
occasions 10 witness the devotion of our
army, and to-day take pride in saving that
! NO other country on earth ever produced
such another army as that which assembled
to put down the Rebellion.
The events Immediately preceding the
battle OF Nashville were of such nature
that am sure they would bear repeating. or
at least Justify some allusion to them on
TINS occasion After victorious advance
into the heart of the enemy's country. our
great leader, General Sherman, rested al
Atlanta, his mind engaged in perfecling
plans OF other operations. Although he had
pushed the bold and gallant enemy into the
heart of the territory, that they were not
discouraged but the moment that General
sherman sat down to take little rest. i'm.
mediately that enemy assumed the offensive
and attempted to drive him back Seeing
into their plans, General Sherman despatch,
ed me TO Tennessee to attend affairs in the
rear OF ms army, and keep open my com
munication with him. Even on nv arrival
IN Tennessee, the advance of the force of the
enemy had attacked our communications
and had done some damage, but was soon
driven out
soon afterwards General Sherman conceiy.
ed the plan of marching TO the sea, and left
me to defend Tennessee, in case the enemy
should advance on that State and attempt 10
60 further north; and in case the enemy
should follow, l was to pursue with what
troops ] could gather up and harrass his rear
and communications. General Sherman S
main army and the main army OF the enemy
remained quietly observing each other on the
borders OF Alabama and Georgia, while |
I endeaYored to meet the emergency that was