The New York herald., 1875-12-31
GENERAL GEORGE z. THOMAS.

EVIDENCES OF HIS INTENTION TO JOIN THE
coNFEDERAcY IN 1S61-vAcc1LLATIoSs OF
''oLD RELIABLE"-A CORRESPONDENCE UN-
FoRTUEATELY LosT-wHAT HE SAID AND
WHAT MRS. THOMAS SAID.
RICHMOND, Dec 80. 1875.
news paragraph published. in the HERALD on
the.23d ult, stating that General George II. Thomas
declared at the beginning of the afe that he could
"never draw his sword against State struggling for
it's constitutional rights" has been Indignantly de-
nounccd false by Jealous friends OF the deceased
general is perfectly evident that Thomas intended
TO resign his commission in the United States Army in
1861. Here is the proof:-General Francis H. Smith,
Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute at
Lexington recently sent TO the Office OF the Southern
Historical Society here the following autograph letter,
which the HERALD correspondent examined to-day
LErTBR GENERAL THOMAS
NEW YORK HOTEL, NEW YORK CRY, jan is, 1861.
Colonel FRANCIS II. SMITH, superintendent, &c -
DEAR SIR-ln looking over tho hles OF the National
InteiLgencer this morning met with your advertise
ment for a commandant OF cadets and instructor OF
at the institute II not already filed will be
under obligations II you will inform what salary and
allowances pertain TO the situation, from present sp
pcarances fear will be necessary for TO be
looking up some means OF support Very respectfully,
your obedient servant GEORGE Ii. THOMAS
Major United States Army.
On the back of this letter OF General Thomas General
Major G. H. Thomas, January, 1861 Original letter
received by me from Major George II. Thomas just be-
fore the secession OF Virginia This letter followed
by correspondence which has been lost The substance
of ii that Major Thomas, having made up his mind
never to draw his sword against any State struggling
for its constitutional rights was seeking through mo
some appointment in the service OF the Virginia Mill
tary Institute or OF Virginia There being vacancy
at the time in the corps of professors, recommended
him to Governor John Letchcr for the appointment
of Chief of Ordnance of Virginia Ny letter
TO the Governor was supported by one
addressed urquharh r then reprssentins the the
made out for Major Thomas by the order OF the Gov
ernor but before delivered he had taken brga-
dier generals position in the United States army
FRANCIS II. SMITH.
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTES, Nov. s, 1875.
Besides the correspondence with. General Smith and
Governor Letcher parties in official station here say
Thomas repeatedly told Fitzhugh Lee and other COM
that he would side with Virginia If there should
be war, and he parted with Lee in Washington when
tho latter his way to join the Confcderaes no
said that he only remaining IN Washington to settle
some business of Importance, and would join him in
Richmond within eight hours. His last words to
his comrade were-
THOMAS DECLARATION
Look out for me, Fitz and tell our people that am
certainly coming
General Thomas wife, who was present however,
quietly remarked, in response to Thomas words to
Leo
WHAT MRS THOMAS SAID
He is not going II can help IT,
Hon. John Letcher, who virginias Gov
ernor, and is a member of the Legislature from
Rockbrdge county, day told the HERALD correspond
ent that he certainly understood Thomas applying
for a commission in the service OF his native State
Virgna), and that he Letchcr) actually had a COM
mission made out for Thomas Colonel of Ordnance
but that Thomas finally secured position the United
States Army as brigader general