The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-02-01

speech, was passed without dissent
| ing vote. 9
The speech of this plain, unlearned
| self-made man illustrates Webster
| famous saying "that true eloquence i
it exists at all is in the man, the sub
| ject and the occasion" Gen. Thomas
was also largely instrumental in thu
passage of the bill giving to every
non-commissioned officer and private
seven dollars per month in addition tt
the amount paid them by the United
States.
Patriotic Vermonters, you who are
proud of the grand record of youl
state during the great civil war, OF
the splendid services of its thirty-foui
thousand volunteer soldiers who never
lost a battle flag by the hand of the
enemy. yield a just tribute of honor
to that eloquent old soldier of West
Fairlee, for that increased appropria-
ton for the mighty struggle, and that
state compensation which sustained
the dear ones at home, while "the
boys in b1ue' were at the front. Gen.
Thomas entered with enthusiasm into
the task of raising the troops, and his
rousing speeches electrified the whole
state.
In November, 1861, he was commits
stoned Colonel and proceeded to raise
a full regiment, including two batter
les of 1850 men, which he accomplished
Jan. 81, 1862. He led his regiment to
the front the ensuing March, and was
commander in the field the next three
years, when he received the commits
sion of Brigadier General and served
in that capacity until the close of the
war. He commanded a brigade at
Cedar Creek which he handled with re-
markab1e GOODNESS and courage, hold
ing superior numbers in check until
the line could be reformed. He was
commended in general orders for SER
vices at Winchester, when he charged
with the 9Th VT. end 18th Conn. on his
own responsibility.
Gen. Thomas entered the army as a
democrat, but his Judgment and his
convictions of duty compelled him to
sever the cherished political affiliations
of twenty-five years, and he proposed
to act in a quiet way with the republic
can party, but the opposition of the
old party which had conferred so many
honors upon him would not permit it
and he was compelled to defend his
course in public. His old associates
said to him after his return from the
war Thomas you're changed"
Fools never do" was his witty reply.
He refused to be candidate for gov
ernor but in 1867-68 he served the state
ably as lieutenant governor, and pos
lively refused reelection to a third
-erm. He was commissioned by Gen.
Grant pension agent of Vermont for
eight years; commencing in 1870. He
vas delegate to the soldiers conven-
ion that nominated Gen. Grant to the |
Presidency. Has been commander of |
he Department of Vermont G. A. R.,
PRESIDENT of Officers Reunion Society |
Ind of the State Soldiers Reunion. |
lie was the idol of the common soldier |
md his appearance at the camp-fires
# the G. A. r. always ELECTS I'M
founded enthusiasm.
Gen. Thomas married Ann Peabody |
f Reading who died at West Fair1ee |
n 1877. Gen. Thomas has, since the /
cath of his wife, made his home at
fontpe1ier with his daughter, Aman-
a T., widow of Luther Newcomb.
The camp of the Sons of Veterans
t the capitol is Stephen Thomas
amp, and so the sons, like the faith
rs, regard him as the type of the
merican citizen, soldier exemplar,
y descent of those who in battle
bundled and defended and in person
those who in battle preserved the
reat republic.