Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-10-31
An Old War Horse.
GEN. ROBERT To0MBA
fspecial Correspondencay

W AsHINGToN, Ga, Oct. 19.-RDbert
Toombs, probably the strongest figure and
the least understood among the leaders in
the late rebellion, is about stepping over
into the great beyond. Since the death of
his wife three years he has anxiously
looked forward to the time when he can
again see her. She was his companion for
over fifty years, and there never lived a
more devoted husband than he. A few
weeks ago he was in Atlanta bidding his
old friends good bye and making prepara-
tons for his death, which be had a pre-
monition was fast approaching. Since then
the scenes around his bedside have been
touching. His former slaves and their
descendants have come in from far and
lear to bid fare we'll to their old friend and
master. Between him and them there has
always been a strong affection. Prominent
men, among them many union soldiers,
have come to pay their last respects to
their old adversary. One Of them said:
Bob Toombs, though a bitter foe, was the
one Imost admired among the Confederates.
At some time or another during the war all
their other leaders seemed to WAIVER so thai
we scarcely knew whether they intended to
return loyal or not. But with Bob Toombs
We knew for every momens from 1860 till
today just how he stood He hsld convic-
lions, anil dared assert them" Whether
Gen. Toombs ever Dragged that The would
yet call the roll of his slaves under the
shadow of Bunker HIP is an open question.
but it expre,se in a mild way his hopes in
those days. 4 correspondent of The At
lanta Constitution thus sums up his strong
characteristics:
THE home life Of Gon. Toombs stands in
strange contrast with his stormy public
career, in which his impulsive, deter
minei and unsubmissive disposition
found such ample sway. At home, how
ever, he was always as gentle as a
lamb, kind, sympathetic and INDUCING.
An even feigned ~sternness Immediately
melted at a wistful glance, and instead Of
ruling the household he completely sub
jected himself to its members. Thus it was
with those whom he loved. With them his
rebsllious spirit and fiery temper was as
mild as a woman's, and in his household
reigned the sunshine of devotion, peace and
cool will.
How different his public life. Born
as he himself expressed it In the last public
speech he ever mads, las good a rebel as
ever came from revolutionary loins,n his
chief characteristic was to break whore he
could not bend. He willingly submitted
himself to no authority. As q school bov
he was a rebel, and as be grew older be
formed earnest convictions by which be
stood, whether or not orthodox. As . states
man he was impulsive, fiery and intolerant
but tie acme Of his revolutionary dispost-
ton developed in his service as a soldier.
He could not brook superior authority
which became SO personal, and to his realf-
cation of this fact is duo the shortness Of
his career as a soldier.
Thus it is that tho greatest Of liyfnr
Georgians is rapidly journeying to thai
bourne where rests bis old collea Ques and
companions. He is almost alone. Of tbose
who are left Those whose destfuiss s.
figured so couspicuously in shaping look
with anxious eyes to the dying statesman.
Their heartfelt sympathy IL with him. and
even those who disagreed with him can but
admire his manly character, the nobleness
of bis patriotism and the holiness OF his
purposes.
His last great encounter is characterized
by gentle submission. He ID quietly pass-
ing away, and the sturdy support Of bis de-
voted townsmen is but emblematic of the
reverence Of the people Of his state: and
every tear that falls. from the eyes Of his
teloved granddaughter, and wastes itself
on his macilent form, carries with It tia
sorrow and Sympathy of the entire ~peopla.n
n N