It is unpalatable to have again to refute the assertions of the injudicious friends of
General George H. Thomas, that he never entertained the purpose of casting his lot with his own people when the other
Virginians resigned from the
Federal service on the command of their State.
Thomas was a tower of strength in the
Federal army.
He alone of all the Virginians who remained in that army was the one we could not well spare.
No native of the
State had been more intense in his devotion to her, none had more pride in the history of her people, and to the last moment none was more earnest in avowing his native allegiance than
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he.
He was serving in
Texas when the crisis came which sundered the sections.
His friends in
Virginia were informed of his views, and the officials of the
State were apprised of his intentions.
He procured a furlough, came to
Virginia, applied to the
Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute for the appointment (with the rank of
Major) of Commandant of the
Corps of State Cadets.
On the request of his friends the
Governor of
Virginia decided to appoint him a Colonel of the
Virginia forces and
Chief of Ordnance of the
State.
And when, as yet, neither
Lee nor
Johnston had indicated any purpose to leave the
Federal service, the attitude and intention of
Thomas were as well known as those of any gentleman of the
State, and he was spoken of by several of the secession members of the convention as the fit man to be
General of the forces of
Virginia should she secede.
After the
Government had decided to appoint him
Colonel, he went North, from
Virginia, to make his final arrangements, and then to resign and return to take part with his people.
The Governor held the appointment open for him until he found
Thomas had resolved to remain in the
Federal service.
