Year: 1869

prominent part at an early day, all that
he gained was gotten honestly by hard
fighting. The Confederacy was young
and strong in its enthusiasm, number, and
resources. Recognizing the necessity of
an army, rather than an officer, he instilled
into the troops the military spirit that
comes of discipline, and not only held his
own against the enemy, but went far to-
ward preparing the material others came
in subsequently to use with success
There Is in every community a certain
amount of animal courage or pluck that
rushes to the front on the first call to arms.
If this is taken hold of, disciplined and
drilled, an army is in hand that can be
used with success. If this is wasted, the.
second installment comes to the field with
less of the necessary element. General
Thomas saw this at an early day, and if he
was only partially successful, his failure
must be attributed to the insane idea that
possesses US, that all we have to do is to
create an officer, and not an army.


His battles and campaigns are studies,
from the fact that we see running through
them thoughtfulness that seems to forsee
and effec. events. He really organized vic
tory, and, of all who struggled, planned
and fought, seems to be the only one who
could appreciate the situation, and count
on his own resources. Unmindful of the
impatience in his rear, as of the exaggera-
tions at the front, he moved slowly but
surely on to victory.


His brave patience was wonderful. 1t
seemed to wipe out the ambition that an
imates most men, and left himself under
sense of duty, that was as quiet as it was
strong. In this respect, Gen. Thomas is
not only the most remarkable man of our
late war, but he makes study among the
men of all time. 1t lifted him above the
petty intrigues and jealousies of the army.
1t saved him from the personal likes and
dislikes, that so often impair the useful
ness of eminent men. 1t made him calm,
cool and unmoved in the midst of battle,
and at the most critical moments of the
conflict.


| have not the space, nor is there need,
of my dwelling on his great deeds during
the war; but / like to go back of them for
study of the mental power and personal
characteristics that distinguish this officer.
The quiet manner in which he took COM
mand, when his own judgment approved
the selection, was not more remarkable
than the way in which he declined promo
ton that came without that sanction
Thus when Stanton came to the CONSUL
sion that Don Carlos Buell. could not be
trusted longer and rendered the command
to General Thomas, the General, who had
not yet reached that point of distrust, re-
spectfullv declined. This did not come
from an excess of modesty, or any doubt
of his own capacity, but from the sense of
duty that controlled ambition, and made
him leave to others their several parts,
while he followed out his own.


Again, the success of Sherman's cele-
brated march to the sea hung on Thomas
success at Nashville before all that was left
of the Confederate forces under Hood
Recognizing this fact, the War Depart
ment at Washington grew feverish and
impatient Week after week passed with
out movement, battle, or even skir-
mish Orders, threats, even abuse could
not move the man who saw his enemy
wasting away in the frost of winter before
Notifications he dare not attack. 1t was
during this period that the report reached
the army that some General was to be sent
out to supersede Thomas. The men and
officers, approaching the situation and
adoring their General, broke out in open
denunciation that threatened revolt. Cen
eral Thomas sternly repressed this, and to
a near friend said: "The Government at
Washington has heavy task on hand
much as it can stagger under. 1t is doing,
and has done, the best under the circum-
stances If any officer comes here to su-
persede me shall cheerfully report for
duty, and my officers must do the same"
And, by the by, the historian must not
fail to note in the biography Of the late
President, Abraham Lincoln, that he
ordered, through Halleck, Banks to super
sede Grant at Vicksburg, and Logan to
supersede Thomas at Nashville.


l could gil my letter with truthful illus
trations of the great traits in this remarka-
bic man. One more will suffice, and in
this day of questionable gifts from patriotic
of6ce-seekers, it is we'll worth recording
At the close of .he war the enthusiastic
friends Of General Thomas made up a
purse of hundred thousand dollars to
purchase for him a home. In quiet,
modest manner, SO quiet and so modest
that one cannot get hold even of the refu-
sal to make popular point of, he declined
the gift The sturdy, honest sense ofself-
reliance and selfrespect shrunk from the
transaction. We can we'll say be is the
noblest Roman of them all.


/ know that this sort of thing is not
what you pay me for to write from Wash
Iington. But unfortunately for you, as l.
folded my foolscap for letter Gen. Ihom-
as passed my windows. As my eye follow
ed his portly person, in his blue military
cape and peaked broad-brimmed military
hat, as he walked slowly and thoughtfully
along, my mind took up his eventful past,
and | could not help saying what the
world would say, were the world to pause
and think-Cor. Cincinnati Commercial