Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-19
General rhoma. n. Williamson.

The following communication Is fro
the Rev. DIR. Clover on the late General
Thomas II. williamson The Richmond
Dispatch OF the 4th instant contains o
well-merited editorial on the death OF
General Williamson, OF the Virginia
Military Institute, at Lexington, Va.
Will you accord me the favor as n
former pastor and friend of the General
to be allowed to add TO that kind notice
a few remarks? When / read, as | did,
in the New York World q notice OF the
death of General Williamson before his
funeral took place / telegraphed to
Stanton, where the notice in the paper
stated his death had occurred, expressing
my profound sympathy for the surviving
members of his family. The telegram,
to my surprise aud disappointment, was
returned with the note attached mot
Found"
More then thirty years ago was the
pastor and intimate friend OF General
Williamson, who at that time, with the late
Governor John Letcher, Judge Broken
borough, and General Gillian. with some
others, whose names, less distinguished.
| cannot now recall, comprised the vestry
of Grace church, Lexington. That great
and good Christian man. General Lee,
whose memory the world loves and
honors, had not then taken up his resi-
dence there. During this long interval
of time, after | left Lexington, | never
saw and only occasionally heard from
General Williamson. The terrible con-
fict growing out of the civil war made
many dear friends almost or quite
strangers, excepting IN their linger-
ing affection for each other. Knowing
as I did the high Christian character Of
General Williamson, and his noble, inn
pulsve, and chiyalrous nature, whether
inspired 10y Christian principle or In
herited by transmission, or through a
combination OF both, felt well assured
that whatever the attitude and cOnvlc-
ton of others may have been at that
time. he stood, and always would stand,
where to him tie right appeared; and,
holding to his conviction, bravely main
tanned his position with the courage
and manly vigor of an honest man. /
may not have agreed with the General
in all things, though cannot now recall
the slightest difference of sentiment
arising between us during the time we
were associated together-he as a yestry-
man and l as rector of the church at
Lexington-and the impression then
made upon my mind-let me say rather
the conviction-then fastened upon my
mind, which has followed me through life
and become stronger as years have adj
yanced, GAS been as have reflected upon
the gentle spirit Of the man like that OF
a tender-hearted and confiding woman,
coupled with the courage and bravery
with which he held to his conviction OF
right against petty tyranny and arrogant
assumption OF temporary power and au-
thority; that though simply teacher,
admirably. faithfully, and efficiently fill
ing the responsible position 10 which
the best part Of his life and energy were
devoted, he nevertheless possessed, like
the lamented jackson, elements Of cha
racter which an emergency would have
developed into a military hero Others,
/ believe, who were intimately asso-
ciated with him Will agree with me IN
this. Such a man must have left
on the altar Of affection, in the hearts Of
the people with whom his life was spent,
q flame Of love that time will not soon
extinguish. To the widow-if she still
surviyes-ea earthly coincidence and sympa-
thy Will amount to but little, compared
with reflection, upon the awaiting and
reunion Of Paradise and to his chill
dren-if any still remain-his bright ex-
ample must call forth a desire and de-
termination to emulate their fathers
rank and honored name.
Those who knew General Williamson
well ard possessed his confidence loved
him as a brother. Virginia may proudly
add his name to the long roll Of her
bonored and worthy sons.
LEWIS 2. CLOVER.
Cli6on Springs, NJ T., April Is, 1883.