Article of Governor John Letcher
of
Virginia
in the
Confederate Veteran
on
Colonel Richard Thomas "Zarvona"
|
The
death of this distinguished and gallant Confederate officer is thus announced
in the Port Tobacco Independent:
"Death
of a Conspicuous Character of the Late War - Colonel Richard Thomas, generally
called Madam Zarvona, died suddenly last Wednesday night at the residence
of his brother James Thomas, in St. Mary's County, Md. Colonel Thomas became
very conspicuous in the early part of the late Civil War by the capture
of the steamer St. Nicholas. He took passage in the steamer at Baltimore,
disguised as a "French lady" and at night, assisted by a few of his men
on board, he arrested the captain and officers of the steamer and run her
to Fredericksburg, Va. After the war he resided for some years in Paris,
but returned to this country about two years ago. He was unmarried."
Colonel
Zarvona was a most interesting and extraordinary man. He possessed a very
fine intellect, greatly improved by cultivation; was well educated; had
aquired a large fund of valuable and useful information on almost all subjects;
was a good conversationalist, and a most pleasant and agreeable gentleman.
As an officer, he was as brave as the bravest, cool, segacious, and intrepid,
bold, resolute, and daring almost to rashness.
He
came to Richond very shortly after the secession of Virginia, accompanied
by Captain G.W. Alexander, a kindred spirit, and tendered their services
to me, with an expression of their willingness to act in any position to
which I might assign them. Their tender was accepted, and they rendered
important, valuable, faithful and gallant service to the State and Confederate
cause. Zarvona is dead; Alexander still lives.
If
any man has ever lived of whom it might be said "he was insensible to fear",
Zarvona was undoubtedly that man. He universally sought the most hazardous
undertakings, and fearlessly exposed himself to the most formidable dangers.
And
yet modesty, candor and sincerity were marked characteristics of his nature.
Gentleness, kindness, tenderness, were predominent traits in his character.
He was a sincere and devoted friend, a true and tried citizen, and a patriotic
and gallant soldier. He was somewhat eccentric, but his eccentricities
did not render him disagreeable; on the contrary, tended rather to inspire
regard for and excite interest in him.
A
few days after he reached Richmond he stated to me that he had a plan for
the capture of the Pawnee, a formidable vessel, then lying in the Potomac
river opposite Aquia creek, and which was annoying the troops there stationed.
I suggested to him that I would like to have Commodore Maury present when
his plan was unfolded and discussed, in order to have the benefit of his
knowledge and large experience, and the valuable suggestions I knew he
could give us. To this he readily assented, and Commodore Maury was sent
for, but being engaged at the time, sent a message that he would call the
next morning at 9 O'Clock. He was punctual in his attendance (as was his
custom), and Zarvona explained his plan and the means by which he proposed
to carry it into execution. His plan was to go to Baltimore, unite with
him ten or a dozen resolute, daring young men, take passage on the St.
Nicholas, and at a given signal take control of her and depose the officers,
Zarvona assuming the command. The St. Nicholas was said to be the mail
boat on which were carried the mails for the Pawnee, and was in the habit
of running alongside of her in the night unchallenged and discharging the
mail. This was the scheme and we all considered it feasible.
The
question then came up as to the manner of executing it. We were to call
upon the Secretary of the Navyand procure from him the necessary number
of Colt's navy pistols and a supply of ammunition, cutlasses, etc., to
arm as many men as the vessel could carry. All these things were promptly
furnished by Mr. Mallory and sent to Fredericksburg. |
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