The New York herald., 1873-10-04
The GENERAL THOMAS STATUE.

To TIE EDITOR or THE HERALD:-
l have Just read In your issue OF the 2eth ult.
the article headed sPeter Funk at Pittsburg-The
Thomas Statue Flasco." correct statement OF
what was done at Pttsburg in regard to the
Thomas statue will lead you to see that you have
been msled.
Two years ago the movement or an equestrian
statue TO General Thomas was inaugurated at the
reunion OF the Society or the Army OF the Cumber-
land at Detroit and two committees were ap-
ponte d, one TO procure subscriptions and another
TO select proper design and sculptor. The latter
committee consisted OF General Jefferson c. Davis,
United States Army; General Theodore +. Brown,
OF Chicago Colonel Hunter Brooke, OF Cincinnati
General 5. w. Price, OF Lexington, KY, and Cap
tam Ii. NJ. Dufleld OF Detroit. This committee
issued general invitation requesting the sculp-
tors OF the country to make and sub
init designs for the contemplated statue
before the reunion OF the society at Dayton
a year ago. Not meeting such a response az they
had hoped the committee by vote OF the society,
renewed the invitation-the designs 10 be SUD-
mitted at the reunion at Pttsburg on the nth and
l5tn ulf. In the meantime. General Davis having
been ordered TO the Pacific coast, General W. u.
Whipple, late Chict OF stan 10 General Thomas,
was substituted In his place on the committee.
Quite number Of models were sent 10 Pittsburg
and the committee after careful examin alton,
reported 10 the society that "while we concede
merit to all, yet we cannot recommend for adop-
ton by the society the work OF either OF the artists
who have entered INTO competition, as completely
embodying the ideas OF your committee as to the
representation OF both horse and rider.u They
therefore recommended that none OF the designs
be adopted. but that the committee be enlarged to
nine, and be instructed TO employ some ssartist
Oi known reputation and celebrity 10 construct
the equestrian statue OF General George II.
Thomas, giving them power to enter into
contract for the construction and completion OF
such statue.n The report OF the committee was
unanimously adopted by the society, and the COM
mlttee enlarged by the addition OF Lieutenant
Hooker, General Charles Crult, OF Indiana, aud
General 7. J. Jordan, OF Pennsylvania, and the
whole matter Is IN their hands.
IL seems proper 10 correct another error into
which you nave fallen. General Price did not sub
nit design. Beng on the committee III would
have been manifesty improper Tor him to do so
besides, ne 10 not ano does not pretend 10 be q
sculptor. UDdersf fsndng that, IN addition TO the
statuari 70 he exhibited at PittsDurg there would
also be number OF portraits OF General Thomas.
crayon sketch, which was placed In the exhi-
bitiOn room. be du not appear nor was he con-
sidered as u competitor.
The above is simple statement or what the
committee and tue society have done In regard 70
selecting designs and a sculptor for the proposed
monument submit that there Is nothing In such
action deserving vnc cpithets you have used in
regard TO II. The committee were unanimous IN
their recommendations. and there was no dissenting
voice In the society. Being In no way concerned
In THIS matter beyond the interest which All feel
in having statue ertEted 10 General Thomas
worthy OF his services, nd not having been at she
time a member OF the committee TO which the
"Peter Punkr article refer q, hope tins explapa~
which the public have been unoyed. II this object
is attained my aim is accompl Nhed Very respect-
New YORK. Oct. 2 1873.