Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-01-24
COL. TH0S. n. WATKINS
Continued from First Page)

worn by him before the end came at
Appomattox had he lived TO serve
through another year of that tre-
fnendous conflict, for be possessed
all OF the elements W hich go 70 make
up great soldier. and had already
commanded the con6dence and the
admiration Of his superior officers
and OF the army.
And after the war OF arms was
over and the people OF Virginia, 10
the sack cloth and ashes OF disas.
trous defeat, we're struggling TO main
tain existence under conditions the
most adverse that ever overwhelmed
Tree people, what q help, what a
tower OF strength his high courage,
exhaustless energy, sound judg-
nent, great business and executive
ability, pure patriotism and lofty
sense OF honor would have been in
reorganiziag the industries and re-
storing the fortunes of the stricken
Commonwealth.
Knowing him IA did, and plac-
ing no exaggerated estimate upon
his character aud his talents, l am
persuaded that il God had spared
his life he would have gone to the
front in building up the material
and moral welfare OF Virginia and
would have been an honorable. use
tul and successful chief of industry
in peace, as he had proved himself
great soldier and hero in war.
OF the two young men whom Rock
bridge contributed to the Confeder-
ate cause and who sealed their de-
votion to that cause with their life
blood, II has seemed to me that none
are more worthy Of grateful and eter-
nal remembrance than two W HON il
was my good fortune to have known
and loved.
Sandy Pendleton. the immortal
Acknowledgement of StonewalI Jack
son, of Ewel and OF Early. and
Thomas a. Watkins, the splendid
young yeoman. an innate gentleman.
to whose memory, at your request.
l esteem it high honor to be per
mitted to tender this inadequate
tribute OF admiration and affection.
And now he sleeps in an unmarked
grave near the Stark House
under the spreading branches
Of the noble walnut not far from
the field on which he gave up his
life for his country.
The Lexington Gazette, then. as
uow, the chronicler OF the events
that make up the history OF a great
people, not long after his death
made this promise for the surviving
comrades and admirers OF Col. Wat.
kins:
AT the close of the war his pre-
c'ous remains will be brought back
TO his native mountains and an en-
during testimonial erected to his sim
gular worth by his old comrades
and his numerous friends and ad-
mirers."
Though forty-six years have
passed since then. this assurance
has not yet been made good.
1t is duty which we ows to the
memory OF our dead comrade. and
TO the present and to th O future that
this heroic son of Rock bridge shall be
brought home and laid to rest amid
the scenes and among the people
that he loved so well, and that over
his last resting place there shall be
placed monument substantial and
enduring, but simple as was his pure
chal acter. to let coming generations
OF our countrymen know that here
was a man whose virtues we're
worthy of their imitation, and to
give assurance that his comrades
and countrymen have not been un-
mindful OF. or ungrateful for, his
heroic service and his sacrifice for
his country.