Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-10

father. Col. Edward Thomas, who COM
manded Jersey regiment during the whole
period of the revolutionary war and who
had as well several sons (all officers in the
Jersey line the subject of this sketch had
the further distinction of being formally
entered at West Point by Gen. Winfield
Scott, under whom he subsequently saw his
first fighting, and won rapid promotion in
the Florida and Canadian border Indian
wars.
Graduated with high honors from the Mil
itary Academy in 1886, he drew up few
months prior to his graduation, a letter to
the President of the United States, which,
now on file in the military division of the
War Department. is regarded as not only
the most unique paper ever framed by
cadet but is unparalleled in the historical
record of the United States. This was a
petition, signed by every member of his
class, save two, General Meigs being one Of
these, to have his class Immediately grad
uated and sent into the field in Florida,
there to be employed in preserving the
lives and property of our fellow citizens in
such a manner the general in command
shall direct" Many of the forty-five names
attached in autograph to this petition were,
before the last roll call sounded, written
upon the army roster under the rank of
general.
RESIGNED BECAUSE OF WOUNDS.
Severely wounded in 1912, Gen. Thomas
resigned from the army to enter upon the
practice of law. In May, 1860, without his
knowledge, he was unanimously recon-
mended to the President by the officers of
the army stationed in Washington for the
position of aGJutant general of the District
militia and volunteers for the District of
Columbia, in order that the same might be
reorganiZed and made effective 1t was
further recommended by those same officers
that he be given the rank and pay of a
colonel of cavalry. This latter, however,
did not become a law. But without in any
way seeking the honor, he was appointed
major general of militia, and during the
civil war was repeatedly ordered by Presi-
dent Lincoln to call out and take command
of all the militia and volunteers for defenses
of the District of Columbia This commits
sion of major general of militia was signed
by President Buchanan and Secretary
Floyd
December 2S, 1860, Gen. Thomas wrote the
letter of tremendous import which, now
published for the first time, bears upon the
back the following significant note: Dec,
go. On the receipt of this letter by the
President the first movement was made to
place Washington in a state of defense, and
about 5000 men were ordered to this VI
entity"
AVERTS ASSASSINATION
This letter, action upon which by the au-
lhorties resulted in averting the first care
fully planned assassination of Lincoln. was
as follows:
WASHINGTON, Dec %, 1860
Col Saml. Cooper Adjt Genl., U. S. Army:
Through you, colonel, would perform
duty which 1 feel imperatively called upon
to effect If possible
There is no Disgusting the fact that there
is now a feverish state in this community
relative to the security of life and property,
which can only (and should promptly be
allayed by the exercise. by the higher pow
ers of this government, Of that authority
with which they are vested.
Not to speak of the threatened visits of
powerful bodies of men of both political
parties to sustain or overthrow the govern
ment at the next inauguration, 1t Is patent
here that an emute in tavern between
northern and southern men as such would
at once gather a large force Of either, and
then our city would be the scene of strug-
gle even painful to think Of.
I'm the entire absence OF any enrolment
of the militia an arm upon which the coun-
try should always be able to depend for
safety,;I would most respectfully suggeGt
that the regiment of marines be coHcessss,.
strated as far as possible, at headquarter6s
and that at least four companies of artillery
he drawn here from Fort Monroe to in
crease the garrison of Washington arsenal.
1.-THE movement could be made better at
this time than a later period, and as it is
one calculated to prevent riot and the she'd
ding of blood cannot too strongly express
my entire conviction of immediate necessity
In addition, / would mention the import
ance of cavalry force about the period of
the inauguration.
ITO avoid excitement prematurely the
commanding officer at Carlisle barracks
might recruit and drill rapidly as pos
sible. and, a few days before the time in
question, move here with his command, os-
tensibly, as in similar cases, to grace the
procession of the 4th of March.
II am confident If these measures can at
once be adopted it will restore to society
here a more healthy tone, give confidence
to the timid and act great preventive
to the designs Of lawless men in our midst