The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-29


Sheridan, and the order was afterwards modified
by the substitution of General Hancock. In
February 1868, President Johnson in sudden
fit of generosity, sent his name to the Senate
for promotion to brevet Lieutenant General
ship and Generalship, but the recipient of these
doubtful honors did not await the action
of the Senate, but telegraphed on the 22d to
Senator Wade as President pro tenn. of the
Senate, his declination, with an earnest request
that the Senate would not confirm the nomina-
tion. He was afterwards for some time In COM
mand of the Department of the Cumberland,
which was discontinued by an order of March
TO- 1869, which assigned him to the command of
the Military Division of the Pacific. To this
post he soon after repaired, making his head
quarters at San Francisco, where his long and
brilliant career as a soldier and patriot was ter
minated suddenly, while he was yet in the
prime of life.
Gen. Thomas was man of robust physique, 6
feet inches in height, and every inch soldier.
His fidelity in the service was proverbial, and it
is said that during eighteen years of his earlier
service in the army he was never once absent
from his post. His pre-eminent fitness for a
military career has received no more powerful
endorsement than that of the armies which he
at times commanded. He was held in such high
TCRuTu ny Ills SOlulCTb Judb uuIluR LD0
war he received the affectionate SQUIRT
quet of "Old Pap Thomas" words
which never fell from soldiers
lips save as q token of affection and respect. He
was also exceedingly sensitive to indignities of
every sort, and stood proudly upon his record as
his justification in all things. The telegram in
which he declined the dazzling string of brevets
which Andrew johnson rendered him. as above
stated is characteristic enough to warrant pro-
duction here in FULL
LOUISVILLE, February 22, 1S6S.-EIon. B. r. Wade,
President OF the Senate:-The morning papers OF
Louisville announced officially that my name was
yesterday sent to the Senate for confirmation as
brevet lieutenant-general and brevet general For
The battle OF Nashville was appointed major-gene-
compliment ana it is now too late to be regarded
compliment If conferred for services during the
war. therefore earnestly request that the Senate
will not confirm the nomination.
"GEoRGE H. THOMAS, Major-General."
The scheme of Andrew johnson to convert
him over to the reactionary party was thus made
a signal failure. A still later evidence of his
independence of feeling was shown in the letter
written last December in which he spurned the
indignity cast upon his name by some members
of the State Legislature of Tennessee, who
Joined in q movement to have his portrait re-
moved from the State Capitol.
AS soldier, his career speaks for ITSELF He
was perhaps more solid than brilliant, more
stubborn than daring. But the record of his
campaigns shows that he was a master of
strategy, and was gifted with a degree of dash
and brilliancy which is not always combined with
the possession of the more careful and substan-
tial qualities which he displayed in such an
eminent degree. His death is sad loss to the
country not less than to the army, and already
there are evidences throughout the land of the
profound sensation and deep grief to which its
announcement has given rise.
News of Gen. Thomas Death In Washington.
Despatch to the Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, March 29.-The news of the
death of Major-General Thomas occasions in
tense sorrow in army circles here. General
Sherman first received the intelligence upon his
arrival at the War Department this morning,
where a telegram from Colonel Hough, of Gene
raj Thomas staff to Adjutant- General Thomas,
received here about one o'clock this morning,
awaited him.
A general order will probably be issued this
afternoon, announcing to the army the death
of General Thomas.
The President to-day addressed telegram of
coincidence to Mrs. Thomas, who is in San Fran
CISCO 1t is understood that the remains of
General Thomas will be inferred at Troy, N. Y.
The body will be escorted from San Francisco
by his aids