The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-26


acter. for we find Major Johnson n.
3S) thus describing Thomas's activity
(within three months of the date OF
this letter. in recognizing his r.gi-
ment at Carlyle Barracks: The duties
were sufficient to break down any or
binary man. but Thomas gave them
his individual attention both day and
night"
OF course. no one but thos. whom
Sweet VIII" calls simple Eu!Is" ever
accepted for a moment this flimsy ex-
PLANTATION. The matter went no far
Their says the Major. but Very short
ly there was a letter from Governor
Letcher of that State (Virginia) prof
ferins him an appointment rs Chief
OF Ordnance c g. Army. His stern
reply. under date of IL March, 1861.
can be found in Dom Piatt's work,
on page 49," 1t would be ir-
ritating. did 1t not end by be-
coming pitable, to see a man cursed
with such ignorance and inaccuracy.
Tho matter, went no farther" becaus.
Thomas was promptly informed that
the position had been fillcd-there was
never any letter from Governor
I-etchsr to Thomas. and how the Gov
ernor of Virginia could have "proffered
him an appointment as Chief of Ord
nance. Confederate States Army" is
bewildcring to any man OF average
intelligence. Had the Major been a
trained officer. had he even read the
letter in PLAT" carefully, he would
nave been spared the modification OF
the exposure of his colossal ignorance.
Virginia. had not yet seeded. and. was
not destined to secede for more than
month, and her State Forces" had
nothing whatever to do with the &c.
oh
Will. no doubt. seem to the Major n
slight one. is that the &C. s Army" al
ready had &. Chief of Ordnance.
The simple facts are (and this. too.
will be brand-new to the Major and
all the rest of his kindred "naytional
patriuts0 that Thomas had among the
professors at the Institute" as it is
still called. an old West Point class
mate, Major William Gillian, who,
wishing TO do old Tom good turn,
especially after his failure to secure
the Commandments" place, suggested
to his old friend. Governor Letcher.
who had been for years his n>ar
| neighbour in Lexington. that Thomas
would be the very man for Chief of
Ordnance of the State Forces" which
| the Governor was rapidly organizing
in case war should come. Letchar was
strong Union man." who yet, like
I
lieved in the absolute right of Il State
to seccde, announcing publicly his pur-
pose to resist anything like Federal
coercion" Gilman. who soon became
one OF the Governors Military Ad-
visers.' knew Thomas to be thor
ouShly brave and capable officer and
urged his Immediate appointment.
naver dreaming. from what he knew
of Thomas's outspoken Southern senti-
ments. that he would hesitate to re-
sign at once. especially in view OF the
expressions contained In his letter OF
is January. So Letcher told Gillian
to go ahead and ask Thomas Il he
would resign at once and look after
the Virginia Ordnance. which was as
yet unorganized. Gilman straightway
wrote to Thomas. and here Is what
Major j. c. White terms his stern
reply"
New York Hotel. IL March, 1861.
"His Excellency Governor John Letch-
! er. Richmond. Va:
Dear Sir.-l received yesterday
letter from Major Gilham of the Vir-
GINA Military Institute. dated the 9th
instant, in reference to the position
of Chief of ordnance of the State, In
which he informs me that you had re-
quested him to ask me IL l would re-
sign from the service, and If so,
TO me- AS he requested me to make
my reply to you direct have the
honor TO state. after expressing my
most sincere thanks for your very
kind OFFER very stern" thatD. that
1t is not my wish to leave the service
of the United States as long as 1t Is
honorable for ME to remain In 1t. and.
therefore. g long as my native State.
Virginia. remains in the Union. 1t is
my purpose to remain in tho army.
unless requested to perform duties
alike repulsIve to honor and humanity.
II am, Sir. very respectfully.
Your ohedtent servant.
GEORGE II. THOMAS.
Major u. S. Army"
VOLTA aui tranche Ia question" as
the French say.
If Major Thomas did not mean to
signify to Governor Letcher that
1t was his desire to remain in
the army at that time (more
than month before Virginia Sc
ceded). but his purpose to remain in
1t only $50 long as his native State.
Virginia, remained In the Union" then
1t is clear that human language Is
| worthless to express human purpose.
| and. in any event. 1t is, Idle to claim
for him that honorable directness and
soldierys frankness which his admirers