Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1870-04-08
DEATH OF GENERAL rHorAs.

DEATH OF GENERAL rHOmAs.
From the Cincinnati Gazette March 28th.
The whole country will be inexpressi-
! bly, shocked, this morning. by the intel
lgence of the sudden death Of General
Geo. H. Thomas. lust at the time when
the nation was looking 10 him with most
trust and confidence, when 1t was learn
ing to do justice TO his great heart and
brave nature-just when it was begin
ming to turn toward him as the one, above
all others, to be crowned and honorcd
the news comes Of his death Stationed
al ms post doing the work that was aD-
pointed him to do with the earnestuess
and faithfulness that he used TO manifest
IN the day of the war, dischsrginp his
duty with fidelity and courage he died
in the midst of his fame more honored
more esteemed, more loved than anv
man IN the great Republic. No tuer
! heart ever beat, no Drawer soul ever Iiv-
| ed, no manlier man ever brcathed. a
similar place to that which to Epaminon
! das 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 GreCian hero was.
/ ''scornlng to do what was unseemly,
I prefering death to dishonor loved Of
his soldiers and esteemed blythe State
Gen. Thomas was born on the 3Ist Of
JULY 1861, in Southampton county, Vir-
ginia. In June, 1896, at the age of 20,
he entered West Point OF his life as a
cadet there are few stories told though
the traditions Of the place still preserve
loving recollection of him who was one
day to be a great leader of the armies Of
his country. He graduated in I84o
standing twelfth in a class Of forty-five
members. On the Ist of July, Of the
same year, he was appointed a Second
Lieutenant in the Third Regiment of In
fanTy. In I84I he engaged in the Semi
mole war in Florida, and afterWard In
the Mexican war. Bravery and efficient
service won for him at length promotion
and shortly after the battle Of Buena
Vista we find that he was breveted Ma
jor for gallanHy.
After the war with Mexico he was
stationed for a brief period in Boston
Harbor, and also at West Point, being
employed at the latter place as instructor
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 memo
ries that will cluster around his name,
that General Thomas never doubted for
an instant where his duty lay. When
his country was threatened, his sword
was sill at her service as It had been in
''the piping times Of peace. He took
command Of a brigade In the Depart
ment of Pennsylvania in May, and from
that time until the surrender of Apo
at 40 r-acfaa M in FaHn hn
ceased not his work. On the 18TH Of
August Of the same year he was ordered
to Kentucky to report to Gen. Anderson
and was Immediately assigned to the
command of Camp Dick Robinson, with
six thousand new troops. His first gem
eral engagement was fought on the 18th
of October with Gen. ZollicOfler, whom
he defeated in the battle Of Wildcat.
Then came the fierce battle Of Mil
Spring, and the rout Of the rebel forces
under the command of the same chief
tain whom he had met at Wildcat.
In S62 he was appointed Major Cen
eral of Volunteers, and was assigned to
duty under General Halleck From this
time his grand nature began to display
itself That sublime endurance. that
self-sacrihCing devotion, that patient
submission under misconceptiOn, that
ldAllElA9 AGAANAllE11 anu AdAL AAA AAla
troops, that accomplishing and glorious
self-control, that far-sightcd and sagaci-
ous prudence, that personal bravery,
that touching Difference to superior
rank-au these arc treasured IN the
grateful memories Of those who count II
as chief of honors that they were Of the
troops of "Old Pap Thomas" " Their
eyes viii fill with tears, their hearts viii
beat with quicker throb, their tongues
Will refuse to speak the emotions that
are striving for utterance as they hear of
the death of him they loved with 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 bat
tie Of ChiCkamauga, when the life of the
nation was hanging in the balance, and
only Thomas glorious endurance and
serene courage turned away disastrous
and overwhelming defeat nor the battle
of Nashville, when it was General Thorn
as that gained the splendid 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 str0ve TO
heal up the terrible wounds left by die
sword Too noble for selfseeIing, be
saw others, however, outstip him i'm the
race for political and army honors. But
no 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 20 the
Pacific coast, he went thither and at
once on the discharge Of his responsible,
though unassumipg work, he entered,
He had Just returned from a tour of in-
spection to Alaska, and was again ready
to perform his usual routine of duty
But that shadow dreaded Of man was
close by his side, and while a grateful
country was ready to bcstow upon him
his full need Of honor, he died.
General RoseCrans mentioned him
once in his official reports with especial
commendation as "true and prudent
distinguished in council, and on many
battle-felds 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
chose brave men and worthy patriots.
stirred with high motives Of living, dear
to God and famous to all ages,