ary and Congressional circles; but the general aversion to a large
military establishment in time of peace prevented its favorable
consideration, and these eminent soldiers received no attention or
favor from Congress after their work had been crowned with success by
the suppression of the Rebellion and the complete restoration of the
Union. Thomas left Washington soon after President Grant's
inauguration to take command of the Department of the Pacific. He was
disappointed in his expectations and depressed in feeling. He died
suddenly a year later (March 28, 1870) at the age of fifty-four. His
death was noticed in a peculiarly impressive manner by a meeting of the
two branches of Congress in the Hall of Representatives, to hear
addresses commemorative of his character. General Meade, born a year
earlier, survived him for a brief period,--dying November 6, 1872. He
had evinced no dissatisfaction with the measure of his reward, and had
been especially gratified by the privilege of maintaining his
headquarters in Philadelphia (from which city he was originally
appointed to the Army) and of passing his closing years on the soil of
the noble State with which his fame is inseparably associated.

Peculiar circumstances surrounded the career of Thomas, imparting great
interest and enlisting on his behalf a strong affection among the loyal
people of the Nation. The popular regret that he had not been
appropriately recognized by the National Government for his great
services, was deepened by his untimely death. The regard usually felt
by soldiers for their successful leader was exceptionally strong in
his case, and manifested itself in many acts of personal devotion. He
was commended to popular favor by his steadfast loyalty to the Union,
when he was subjected to all the temptations and all the inducements
which had led Lee and Johnston into the rebellion. He, like them, was
born in Virginia, was reared in Virginia, was appointed to the army
from Virginia; but in the hour of peril to the Government he remembered
that he was a citizen and soldier of the United States, and had sworn
to uphold the Constitution. How well he maintained his faith to his
country is written in the history of great battles and great victories!

The grade of General of the Army, originally provided for Washington
in 1799, was revived for the avowed purpose of honoring General Grant.
As originally reported, the Act was to be exhausted with one