The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-14

SENATOR CAMERON, in his speech last week
In favor OF FitzJohn Porter gave his recollection OF
an iucideHt which occurred at Harrisburg In the early
part of the war which was In brief according to the
Senator that General Thomas Mt that time uude-
cided about supporting the Union cause and that
Porter argued With him during whole night and
finally won him over. There s not the slightest doubt
that the Senator totally misunderstood the conversa-
tou, for whether Thomas heSltated at all IN re-
gard 10 his course therc Is ample evidence that he
had cast his lot unreServeily With the Union before
his meeting with Porter In Harrisburg. upon this
point General II. V. Boynton who Is intimately ac-
quainted with General Thomas's military history
writes to tho Cincinnati Commercial Gdfstte Ms fo.
lows;
There Is no doubt but Senator Cameron Is entirely
honest In his belief and that he fully honors Gen.
era Thomas rs the close friend OF the latter, but the
chances are all In favor of his having spoken from in
| accurate memory There Is no doubt but that GEN
eral Thomas long before the date Fixed by Sena-
| tor Cameron, had fully made up his mind as to his
course Further than this, there Is no evidence that
he ever hosated instant from the very inciplency
OF the struggle. AS early as December 1890 he,
/ having shortly before left rSlggs's command In
Texas on leave OF absence, came TO Washington and
reported TO General Scott and other prominent mli
tatY oniCalS his belief that Twggs was about to turn
traitor. Immediately upon hearing ot the firing on
| Fort sumter he wrote his wife In New York, In-
forming her what his course would be- and also wrote
/ his family In Virginia to the same effect aud from
that moment they ceased TO hold communication with
| him. All this was before Fltz-John Porter reached
Harrisburg, according to the speech OF tue senator
! himself.
The Washington correspondent OF the New York
Herald, writing on the same subject, says
Aside from what the near friends OF Geuerai Thomas
know, and which naty COntradrts the Senator's posi-
uou examination ot the ofcla records of the very
movement from Harrisburg to Washington to which
Senator Cameron retets made ut the time by Fitz.
John Porter himself, shows concnSively that General
Thomas was then thoroughly settled In his convictions
and that POrtcr was well acquainted with his sound
ness. This report OF Major Ftz-John Porter con-
talns the following In regard TO the movement which
senator Cameron made the basis Of his unjust re-
marks:
| 1.-The officers accompanying Major Thomas were,
without exception, Southern men. They were u II
anxious excited In doubt To what should be their
Immediate action and gloomy as to the future. They
had their private conferences and evidently looked to
Major Thomas's action their present guide. knew
Major ThOmas's views; had no doubt OF his course
but did scar that some, " not ALL OF his subordi-
mates would tender their designations aud ask To be
left behind. one offuer had done before leaving
Carlisle Barracks and had gone to his home In Mary
land. Just before entering the cars. which were about
to start OF them turning to Major Thomas and In
the hearing OF all the Others aud OF Colonel Porter
| and myself, asked Tom, what shall we do?'
Promptly came the reply: We are ordered TO WASH
inCton, and there we 20. There viii he time enough
after getting there for you TO decide what 10 do.
General Porter In talking OF this incident now, Sal
| he distinctly remembers how Thomas emphasized the
word lyon in the Close Of the last sentence, rs
showing how firmly his own mind was made up.