The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-03-31
IFrom The Cincinnati Gazsttel
Death OF Gen. Thomas.

when the nation was looking to him
with most trust and confidence. when
it was learning to do justice to his
great heart and brave nature-just
when it was beginning to turn toward
him as the one, above all others. to
be crowned and honored. the news
comes of his death. Stationed at his
post, doing the work that was
appointed him to do with the
earnestness and f%aithfulness that
he used to manifest in the
Days of the war, discharging his
duty with fidelity and courage, he
died in the midst of his fame, more
honored, more esteemed, more loved
than any man in the great Republic.
No truer heart ever beat, no Drawer
soul ever lived, no manlier man ever
breathed. A similar place to that
which to Epaminondas has been
given In the history of Greece, will be
assigned to General Thomas in the
history of the United States. Kind,
tender, chivalrous," the historian says
the Greeian hero was, "scorning to
do what was unseemly, preferring
death to dishonor; loved OF his sol
diers and esteemed by the State"
Gen. Thomas was born on the 31st Of
July, 1916, in Southampton County,
Virginia. In June, 1886, at the age
Of 20, he entered West Point. Of
his life as a cadet there are few sto-
ries told, though the traditions of the
place still preserve loving recollec-
tions of him who was n day to be a
great leader of the armies of his
country. He graduated in 1910,
standing twelfth in a class of forty
FIVE members. On the LIST of July, Of
the same year, he was appointed a
Second Lieutenant in the Third Reg
iment of Infantry. In 1841 he enga-
ged in the Seminole war in Florida,
and afterWard in the Mexican war.
Bravery and efficient service won for
him at length a promotion. and short
" after the battle of Buena Vista we
find that he was brevetted Major for
gallantry.
After the war with Mexico, he was
stationed for a brief period in Boston
Harbor, and also at West Point, be-
ing employed at the latter place asin-
structor of artillery and cavalry. In
1854 he was ordered to California, and
he remained in service in the West
and South until 1861. The war broke
out in April. Ii is not the least of
the honorable memories that will
cluster around his name, that General
Thomas never doubted for an instant
where his duty lay. When his coun-
try was threated. his sword was still
at her service as it had been in the
piping times of peace" He took COM
mand of a brigade in the Depart
ment of Pennsylvania in May, and
from that time until the surrender at
| Appomattox he rested not in his
labors, he ceased not In his work.
| On the 18th of August of the same
year he was ordered to Kentucky to
| report to General Anderson, and was
Immediately assigned to the command
of Camp Dick. Robinson, with six
thousand new troops. His first gen.
eral engagement was fought on the
18th of October, with General Zolli-
Golfer, whom he defeated in the battle
of Wildcat. Then came the fierce
battle of Mill Spring, and the rout of
the rebel forces under the same chief
tain whom he had met at Wildcat.
In 1862 he was appointed Major
OCuGEdA VI NOAAutCCAby anu WAS d6~
signed to duty under General Hal
leck. From this time his grand nature
began to display itself. That sublime
endurance, that self sacriicing devo-
ton, that patient submission under
misconception, that fatherly tender
ness and care for his troops. that un-
complaining and glorious self control,
that far-sighted and ~sagacious pru
dence, that personal bravery, that
touching Difference to superior rank
all these are treasured in the grateful
memories of those who count il as
chief of honors that they were of the
troops Of Old Pap Thomas" Their
eyes will fill with tears, their hearts
will beat with quicker throb, their
tongues viii refuse to speak the emo
tons that are striving for utteranee
as they hear of the death of him they
loved with a love that was like the
love of a child for its father. But
not only in the memory of his soldiers
is his valor ~enshrined. The nation
will never forget the battle of Stone
River, nor how the troops of "Old
Pap" alone saved the day; nor the
battle of Chickamauga when the life of
the nation was hanging in the balance,
and only Thomas glorious endurance
and serene courage turned away disas-
trous and overwhelming defeat; moi
the battle of Nashville, when it was
General Thomas that gained the splen-
did victory that gave to Sherman the
march to the sea.
His life since the close of the war
is familiar to our readers. Peace
brought him no rest. Still on duty,
he strove to heal up the terrible
wounds left by the sword. Too noble
for self seeking, he saw others, how
ever, outstrip him in the race for po-
litical and army honors. But 10
word of complaint ever escaped his
lips. If he ever felt that injustice
had been done him, he showed not
the sting by word or act. Ordered at
last to the Pacific coast, he went
thither, and at once on the discharge
of his responsible, though IN
assuming work, he entered. He
had just returned from a tour
of inspection to Alaska, and
was again ready to perform his
usual routine of duty. But that
shadow dreaded of mar" was close
by his side, and while a grateful
country was ready to bestow upon
him his full need of honor, he died.
General Rosecrans mentioned him
once in his official reports with espe-
ciaI commentator as true and pru-
dent. distinguished in council, and on
many battle6elds for his courage"
But on him to-day the nation bestows
higher and more honorable praise.
Not alone was he true and prudent,
but one of those brave men and
worthy patriots, stirred with high
motives of living, dear to God and
famous to all ages"