The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-28

war. while Nirg11i1 was Stfl q military
district. some federal officers stationed AZ
Petersburg heard that the two maiden
sisters OF General Thomas were living
nearby. and that they were IN ees,i-
tute circumstances as result OF tbs
ravaEes OF war. One CT TIE officers IN
question had been ciassmate Of General
Thomas at West Point. and had been
on terms Of intimate personal frisnd-
ship with him. He determined to -
heve the necessities OF the Misses
Thomas. and had an array wascn loaded
with supplies. which he accompanied 20
The Thomas mansion. The old ladies re-
oeiyed the federal officers on the veranda
Of sheir home with stately courtesy bur
Icy GODDESS. One Of the officers explained
that he VAS an 0ld-sime friend Of Gen
erai Thomas and was delighted that he
could be OF some slignt service 70 his
sisters.
The reply OF Miss Judith was that she
had no brother. Then an attsrapt vas
made TO force them TO accept the prs,-
visions which had been hroueAt over
from the military headquarters A. =
matter OF fact. the Thouaas pantry vas
empty. There was practically nothing 90
eag IN the house or on the plantation. but
Virginia pride was too strong 20 Yield
even under these circumstance. Mss
Thomas thanked the federal Officer Tor
his kindness. but assured him that she
and her sister we're not in need OF a0y-
thing. and must decline 70 accept TIE
offered supplies.
On another occasion an even more pa
thetlc incident Is recorded. A confeder
ate soldier. Who came from Southampton
county and knew both General Thomas
and his sisters. surrendered with john
ston in North Carolina. He FOUND 4
impossible 20 set transportation homc.
bat finally sol "a ride @ D point GA Ten
ressee. near where oneral Thomas com
mand was stationed. lie determined %
seek ont the General and on the ground
OF old acquaintance ard neighhorly afToc-
tion. ask him 70 furnish transportation
back 20 Southampton. After some eiei-
calty the ragged confederate succeeded
IN getting word 20 General Thomas that
a man from Southampton county wanted
90 see him. He was Immediately ushere3
into lie generals tent and was provided
with transportation homo. On arrivieg
az southampton the confederate natur Is
~ thought that the Misses Thomas would
be giad % hear from their distinguished
brother. 20 whom he felt himself under
debt % gratitude. He went az once 20
the plantation. wearing hts old gray uni-
form. and was received as a guest ~
honor by the old ladies' But when he
attempted 60 speak OF General Thomas
he was told that they had no brother
and that they must refuse 90 hear ths
name of eneral Thomas mentioned 81
their prGesence.
The feeling Of his sisters was share<
hv most virginians. and General Thonaal
never felt that ne could cali fwyaoinao.
never felt that ne had a state that ne
could call his own untn he was prac-
tieally adopted by Tennessee. AFTER De-
had won the battle OF Nashvnle. which
was substantially the end 81 the rebellion
IN that quarter. he was made ma af
general IN the United States army. ~
ceived the thanks OF congress and or ttf
legislature OF Tennessee. and was Pc,
sented with a gold medal By The latter
body on the first anniversary after thi
battle
in 1888 General Thomas was sent %
San Francisco 70 assume command az
the military district 81 the Pacific Tie
died there early IN Esn. and hls remains
we're "a en- II Troy. y. T.. where they
were buried. lie left no child % keep bis
name alive.
Not even after the Var had closed
would these stern old women. fiviuE aii
alone IN the great house which was hls
birthplace az well as lheir own. recognise
or receive a communication from their
famous brother. For them hs had died
in 1851. ana when be was actually borne
% his grave nine years later 70 did not
add % the grief which they felt 80 long
Even now. more than thirty years after
the great soldier whom tho boys 81
the Army of the Cumberland ioyfaeiY
called Pap" Thomas. was laid a. rest.
the two old women cling % the memory
OF the young lieutenant who fought 81
DrRvely n the war with Mexico. but Pc
fuse 20 admit that sny brother 81 theirs
ever reached the rank Of a general