The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-03-26

in the way Of hams, -four, sugar, ccf-
fee and other articles most needed by
Nirginians in those days. Now, as a
matter Of fact, the lardcr OF the Thorn
as household was almost absolutely
bare, like the majority of Virginia
pantries at the close Of the war.
But the ladies had no idea Of ac-
cepting gifts from the enemy. They
thanked their visitors, but assured
them they stood in need Of nothing.
So the officers, who had visited the
Misses Thomas with the commendablo
intention Of relieving the needs of the
family Of their fellow soldier, had to
return, absolutely bafiled by a pride
which could not be overcome by stern
est want.
\ Confederate soldier from South
ampton, who had surrendered with
Johnston in North Carolina, had the
greatest difficulty in reaching home.
Somebody gave him sportation to
a town in Tennessee. Upon reaching
that point the soldier found himself
wholly unable to proceed further cx-
ccpt on foot, as he had not cent in
the world and could not get the per-
NIT for free transportation on the rail
roads. Just when he was on the point
OF starting to tramp to his far away
Virginia home he chauced to learn
that Gen. Thomas was stationed in the
place.
lie had known Gen. Thomas before
the war and while he knew that he
had refused to fight for his State and
had fought SO ha' against her, the
soldier relied upon the Virginian love
of his people and his home and deter
mined to ask Gen. Thomas to help him
get back to their old Southam pton
lie had some difficulty in gaining an
audience with the commander. but
when word was sent in to Gen. Thorn
as that the man who wanted to see him
was from Southampton it was but a
minute until the ragged and tired
Confederate stood in the presence of
the great general. It is pity tn at
the details of the conversation
are not now known. But Gen.
Thomas received the soldier most
kindly and expressed the greatest
pleasure at being able to supply him
with transportation back to South
ampton.
When the soldier got back home he
made il point to call on the Misses
Thomas and tell them of having seen
their brother and Of his Kindness.
Naturally he thought they would be
glad to hear from him. But the OK
act reverse was true. Indeed, the
scene was stormy one for few min
utes, the ladies declaring that they had
no brother, that they never wanted the
name of Gen. Thomas mentioned in
their presence.
A gentleman of Southampton re-
lates that when q boy he used to ao-
company his mother to visit the Miss
es Thomas and how she and his
father used to caution him
against asking to see Gen. Thomas
sword.
That sword now reposes in the col
lection of one Of the historical socie-
ties of this city, having been present.
ed to the society about year ago by
the sisters, who wished it preserved
after their death and did not wish the
task committed to the descendants Of
the man who had won it by his valor
and lost it by his treason.
| Virginians will always regret that
Gen. Thomas did not help his State in
the struggle in which he gained such
renown as captain in the armies that
conquered her. But we of this gen
Grafton can be proud of him as Vir-
ginian. Several military writers have
regarded Gen. Thomas as the greatest
commander on the Northern side.
Then there is the testimony of Gen.
James Longstreet-the Macdonald of
the Confederate army-a man who
knew what hard fighting was if any
mau ever knew. At the battle Of
Chickamauga Gen. Thomas and Gen.
Longstreet were pitted against each
other. The result was what the brave
old Confederate always deolsred-a
half-hour of the bloodiest fighting of
the war. In Gen. Longstreet's COM
mand was Pickett's division of Vir-
ginians. The commander of the army
against which they were fighting was
| q Viroinian What uondar tha morld