From the letters to Henry Goddard Thomas one can gather that the General was a respected individual for his involvement with the Black community. As an activist Thomas received various letters from individuals seeking to help educate people recently emancipated. Thomas was particularly active in the construction of churches for the Black community as well as instruction for Black ministers. Louis Hensen writes to thank the General for money for the construction of a Methodist church and informs him of the construction progress. A letter from Byron Greenough updates the progress of one such organization, the Institute for the Instruction of Colored Ministers in Virginia and Southern States. A letter from Rev. Commodore D. Hurt commends the work that government has done for the education of Black people and updates the General on the status of a Black school in Russell County, Virginia.

Some letters also express the frustration of Thomas's peers over the treatment of Black people. The letter from P. S. Reeves dated June 17, 1868, relates a story involving "Regulators" and a Black school teacher in Danville. An interesting letter from G.R. Rosselton, dated December 24, 1869, includes a brief synopsis of slavery in America.