The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-23
"pEsT yIRGINIAN OF TIE CENTURY


Al tho recent unwilling Of the monument
which has been erected in Rensselaer, county
New York. 10 the Federal soldiers who Gu
listed from that county in the cause OF inc
Union and fell On the field OF battle. tenerA
Stewart l.. Woodford, the orator OF the COCA
sion. il reported to have referred TO General
George II. Thomas as the greatest and oes'
yireinian Of the present century
Such an expression of opinion on the part
of General Woodford was as whole an exhs-
ceration even from his Northern point OF
view and probably had its originin the fervid
emotions of the hour. II would be perhaps
consistent with truth 10 say that General
Thomas was one If the greatest OF modern
Virginians. because he was man OF such re-
markabe military talents that many compe-
tent military critics consider him TO have
been the foremost soldier on the Northern
side during the late war. That he was one OK
the best Of modern yirginians is a question OF
a very din erent character
In what sense can any impartial mind re-
gard him as one Of the best? he did note
have the merit Of being such staunch
Unionist in his sentiments that he was unable
conscientiously 10 lift his sword against tho
General Government. His letter 70 Governor
Lstcher shows that his sympsthles at first
leaned 10 the side Of his native state. An
tagonistio influences subsequently brought
about in him complete change Of mind.
Tho man who expressed a determination TO
defend the soil on which he was born in a
short while became one OF the foremost and
most dangerous of its enemies.
But the best yirginian Of the century" was
not content merely TO stultify himself by
acting the part of an ordinary commander Of
Federal troops. He must show his zeal and
remove al suspicion of his unnatural loyalty
by doing dirty work for those he was serving
When tho Federal Government decided to
raise o number Of negro regiments in the
Mississippi Valley, they turned TO the best
Yirginan Of the century" rs the proper in
trument for the task. and the sincere OF as
sumed enthusiasm with which no undertook
II showed that the Government understood
their man. Proceeding from point TO point
down the Valley Of the Mississippi as far
South as Yicksburg Thomas delivered
series Of harangues which were worthy Of the
mission in which he was engaged.
Marx what the best Yrginian Of the cen
4ury" had 10 say: ~ am here to raise as many
regiments of blacks as ! can. | am author
lied to give commissions from the highest TO
the lowest. and desire those persons who ore
earnest in this work to take hold of it. i de-
know that the rebels have sent into
the field all their available fighting men-every
man capable Of bearing arms-and you know
they have kept at home all their slaves
They are 10 be encouraged to come to us.
They are to be received with open arms;
they are to be fed and clothed; they are TO
be armed. ] would like 10 raise on this
river twenty regiments at least They will
guard tho rear eIectually. Knowing the
country well. and familiar with all the roads
and swamps, they will be able to track out
the accursed guerrillas and run them from
the land When / get the regiments raised,
you may sweep out the interior with irnpu-
nifty"
II is not difficult to understand what was
meant by sweeping out the interior" when
the broom was % be q dozen regiments Of
former slaves commanded by a leader who
was a conscious renegade tot the country which
he designed 10 ravage and destroy. This
would have Deen congensl work for tie man
whose memory General Woodford saluted ss
that OF the best Virginian Of the century"
The shades of Lee. Jackson. Stuart, Ashby.
Pickettand the long list of Virginia's dead
heroes rise mp before us in ghostly grandeur
as we transcribe the impious expression.