New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-07

Carlisle the home life so dear to him. But on his
way there he heard the summons TO war. The guns
was no longer possible. His choice was instantly
made. On arriving he sought a magistrate and before
him. with the profOundcst sOemnity, renewed his oath
Of allegiance to the United states Of america lie
also wrote at once TO Mrs. Thomas and to his sisters
In Virginia tell them what course lie should take.
That course separated him definitely from his family
f resde g ca for % men to help the
forts places and property which had been seized from
the Union. To reach The forts and places already
seized il necessary 10 march across her territory.
words of his letter, "epulsve TO honor and humanity,
the Virginia Convention adopted the ordinance Of
secession The fact was b EnoT %r,G on the 18th
to his state. he certainly would have offered his
resignation without moments delay, as did Joseph
Garneti and sfagruder and Hcth, and 50 many other
vlrgnians at that very time. The designations %
the 17th and 9th Of April all doubtless written
Immediately on hearing Of the passage OF the ordinance
army most Of them with increased rank. Thirty
four Virginia officers resigned within one month before
cidrd 10 come TO and cast his lot with his own
people then if ever, the time to show that de
nature nature His mind once decided action followed
surely and speedily The fact that he did not resign
Is ample proof That he never held any purpose or
The nOtihcatiOn by the Secretary Of War to Robert
Cd Cavalry was accepted. was dated April %. four
sy f state ns had s rD ss sc notice f the
Thomas Of his promotion as Lees successor bore the
s saG e h SS o sP Of 0C G I
Of APRIL having been ordered TO send body OF
nqer G S'e Was TO the G
strncton Of The Northern Central Railway, he himself
same dav Robert ' e. Ieehs letter. Of resignation
written but undelivered-was attending church in
way to Rich@ond hs rEnaon %6aCcepcd and his
departure unknown.
ordinance Of secession S passed '' resolution e drccnc
that . the Governor, shall Immediately invite all
gina in the Army and Navy of the United States TO
retire herefrom and enter the Army Of Virginia. as
relative rank held by them in the United states ser
vice. and WILL at least, he equivalent thereto Major
Thomas was Informed of this action of the conven-
on the I'd of Nav he was promoted TO the colonclcy
With nG 50 mdan he his ' oath Of assanG
The troops Of The t'nitci states moved across the
Potomac into Virginia on the 2ith Of May ,czinc
such as in ThomaS'S opinion made 1t no longer hon
a6 n nvc nm % rSma Rn in w hf week. from that
day he marched at the head Of column Of troops
E dne tine he led G 1aGnT 9on 'p me
Potomac. attacked on their own soil body Of Virginia
troops under Stoncwall Jackson at Failing Waters
These simple facts enough to settle. for all
time the question Of General Thomas LOYALTY -cary
him down to the level 10 which Others chose TO do
sccnd when they abandoned the of their country
must inevitably fail Every such attempt only leaves
his character and honor clearer and more stainless.
To call the far fetched differences lightly jumped
conclusive proofs" is 10 jugGle with words. George
ii. Thomas was. throughout life and in all things.
straightforward. open. manly. Had he chosen to
follow his native State into the lahyrnths into which
she was led by LetChcr and Wise. and followed by
the Lees his pathway thereto would have been clear
and plain. There would have been cOnccalment
and no subtcrfuge. Against all assaults like those
thus far made upon. bin. It is answer enough 10
interpcsc the truthful story Of his lie.
HENRY STONE,
Late Rrcvet Colonel and Assistant Adjutant eneral
Army Of the Cumberland.
Boston June %. 1890.