The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-10
CHAMPION Of RIGHT
JUDGE ELL TORRANCE READS A
PAPER ON THE MILL
TARY
CAREER OF GEN. G. H. THOMAS.
LOYAL LEGION ENTERTAINED
WITH a CAREFUL BIOGRAPHY
OF THE HERO.
CAREER OF GEN. G. H. THOMAS
GAVE UP HOME AND KINDRED
To Take Part in the Cause of the
UnfOn-MOnthIy Business
Meeting.

entertained MS FELLOW companions of
the Loyal Legion last evening in a
very interesting paper upon the mill
tary career of Gen. George H. Thomas.
The paper was very complete and
brought out the life Of the distinguish
ed leader in something of a new light.
Although the speaker had never served
under Gen. Thomas, he was always an
adm1rer of him, and was always a
defender when others accused him. The
reading of Judge TOrrance's paper oc-
cupied nearly two hours.
An excellent dinner was served to
$50 members of the order in the ordi-
nary of the Ryan hotel at 1870 o'clock,
prior to which there was a stated meet
ing. Henry Allyn Norton, captain Of
the Twelfth United States colored in
fantry, and Clinton Burnet Hersey
were elected to membership.
AT o'clock the companions of the
order listened to the address of the
evening. Among other things Judge
Torrance said in part:
George H. Thomas was born in SOuthamp-
ton county, Virginia, July 81 1916 and died
at San Francisco, Cal, March 28, 1870, in the
54th year Of his age. He was of Welsh Hugue-
not descent. From his father he inherited the
acter and from his mother that kind, gen
tie and patient disposition which made him
beloved by all who knew him. His father
died at the age Of IS and his mother at co.
both from accidents. He had three sisters
and two brothers, none of whom he saw after
the commencement of the war with the ex-
ceptfon Of his brother Benjamin.
His fidelity to the cause of the union caused
a permanent separation between him and his
family. In remaining loyal to his country he
gave up home and kindred and friends and
Jands, and severed ties which many Of us
found to be the strongest bands to hold us
TO our heavy task as soldiers. 1t is said that
his sisters never mentioned his name from
the day he refused to follow the great army
OF conspirators who sought the overthrow Of
the government.
But few incidents have been preserved con-
corning his early life. At the age of 10 he
became a law student, and shortly thereafter
was appointed deputy clerk of the court of the
county in which he lived. In 1886 he entered
the military academy, receiving his appoint
ment at the hands of President Jackson
he graduated twelfth in class Of AZ, among
WHOM were William T. Sherman George w !
Getty and Richard S. Ewel
During the Mexican war he served in the
battery commanded by Capt. Bragg, toward
whom he afterwards sustained a very differ
ent relation when one fought for the preser-
walton of the country and the other for its
overthrow.
Within a period of about five years he won
three brevets, a distinction attained by very
few in the history Of the army up to that
time. In April, 1851, he detailed as M
Point, where he continued the duty three
years While there he became acquainted
with Miss Kellogg, Of Troy N. Y, to whom
he married in November 1852 She sur
vived him almost twenty years. Among those
who came under his instruction at West Point
were Mcpherson, Sheridan. SlOcum, Stanley
Kruger, Hood, Howard and J. E. B. Stuart, ali
OF whom won great distinction as officers |
during the Civil war
In 1850 the army was increased by the adj |
ditfOn OF two cavalry regiments and Thomas |
1unl0r n int
ed major of the famous Second cavalry now |
known as the Fifth. Both were exceptionally |
fine regiments. Great care was taken in the |
selection of the officers. Jefferson Davis then |
secretary of war, was responsible for most of |
the appointments. When the war commenced !
Thomas was As years Of age He had reached |
equipped, by education and experience for anv |
duty that might be demanded Of him For |
more than twenty years he had been In the |
military service Of his country, and from his |
graduation, in 1910, to the fall Of 1860 he |
had had but one leave Of absence In August, |
1860, he applied for a second leave of absence |
which was granted IN November Of the same |
year. He visited his old home. and on his
way to Washington was seriously injured in a |
able to travel While suffering from his in
jury and fearing that he would never be
able for active service again, the following
advertisement was brought to his notice: "TO
the graduates Of the U. S. Military acad-
envy: A commandant of cadets and instructor
OF tactics Is wanted for the Virginia Military
lHSlltuJe. Inc SITUATION IS an eligible one and 1
should command the best talents and ac- |
complishments. Address the undersigned at
Lexington, Va, until the both of January
1861 Francis H. Smith superintendent"
Fearing that his injuries might be perma-
nent. he wrote Col. Smith, making inquiry
as to the salary and allowances pertaining
to the situation, and upon this letter is based |
the charge that Thomas sought a position in
the service Of his state because he was I'M
willing to draw his sword against any state
struggling for its constitutional rights" 1t
is also claimed on the statement Of Fftz
feelings were strongly Southern that he ex-
pressed his intention to resign, and sent a
letter to Gov. Letcher, offering his services |
to Virginia. Such a letter has never been
produced, nor can any evidence be produced
written oral that would in the slightest |
degree compromise the loyalty OF Gen.
Thomas.
What are the facts? During his leave NJ
absence from his regiment, Gen. Twiggs of |
wretched memory who commanded the de-
partment Of Texas, awaited himself of the
first opportunity to surrender his command
to the state of Texas which had passed the
ordinance Of secession in February 1851
When Thomas heard Of it, he expressed deep
est regret that he had not been with his reg
iment, and when asked what he would have
done, replied: Il would have taken command
OF the men, marched them north until we
reached the loyal states, and the rebels should
not have taken a single prisoner or captured |
a cannon or a flag" This he doubtless could
have done, for it will be remembered that |
while many of the officers betrayed their |
trust and deserted their posts of duty, not |
a single private soldier could be induced to
desert the flag and follow their example.
While no one deprecated a war between the |
states more than he, yet he never wavered
for moment In his allegiance to the nation |
that had educated him, and when asked what