Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-11
sTONEWALE JACKSON-wHO AND
WHAT aKE HS.

. I
WHAT AKE HS.
The Martinsburg correspondent Of New
York paper gives some items relative to the
history of Gen Thomas Jefferson Jackson, the
chiettain who has given the Federal generals
so much trouble:
Thomas Jefferson Jackson was born in Lewis
county, Virginia, in 1925. He is therefore, just
thirty-seven years old-tne fatal age Tor men Of
genius-sn argument against me. His family
though by no means wealthy, was one of exten.
sive and influential ramifcations socially and
politically their status has always been high,
even in aristocrstic Virginia, and it was this
advantage, perhaps, which saved our hero from
neglect when he was turned upon the world a
very poor young orphan; for it was by family
influence, exerted in behalf of his intellectual
and moral PROMISE tina! he was made West
Point cadet at the age of seventeen. 1t was his
own cousin, Judge Jackson, OF the United
States Court, who skedaddled from Winchester
last month on the approach of the scamp,
Thomas Jefferson, recently petrifed into "Stone-
I wall" His pertinacity in procuring his cadet
ship shows the man. Being then resident of
Clsrksburg, in Western Virginia, he walked
from that place to Washington, bearing with
him letters of Recommendation to The Congress
sional Representative of his district, urging the
claims of Jackson to a csdetship at West Point
Academy. After some delay at the capital, his
application was successful, and, with his-com-
mission in his pocket, he Travelled on foot all the
way from the capital to West Point, there to
receive the Tudiments of the science of "StOne-
WALL
He was graduated with high honOrs in the
same class with Mcclellan, ust as the Mexican
war broke out, Immediately entered service with
! Gen. Scott as 8 bTevet lieutenant and was made
full lieutenant for gallant conduct in the memo
Table campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico For
! the sa G suficing reason he received captains
| shOulder-straps at Cero Gordo, and was breveted
/ major at Chapultepec for distinguished ser
vices" On his return home with impaired
health after the war, he resigned his commission,
and was elected professor of natural and expe-
rimental philosophy in the Military Institute Of
Virginia
In connection with his Mexican career, blythe
by, recall an anecdote, characteristic of the
man, which / first heard in Winchester, but
which find well reproduced IN the Philsdelphis
Inquirer OF late date
During the battle of Chapultepec where he
commanded section of Magruder's battery at
tsched to Pillows division, he was ordered by
that commander to withdraw his section, as,
according to Pillows idea, it was too much ex-
posed. Giving no heed whatever to the gene
erals order, he rapidly lmbered up and moved
hundred yards nearer the enemy's works,
where he did great execution"
From the tranquility Of his professorship he
was called by Gov. Letcher, when this internal
rebellion broke cut, to the head of a regiment
and was assigned the command at HaTper's
Ferry, by the unanimous recommendation of
the council, and the unanimous confirmation of
the convention"
Jackson who had superseded several Virginia
militia generals there, was in turn superseded
by Gen. 10. Johnston. He was then made a
brigeder by jeff Davis, and it was at the battle
Of in command Of tba - SFOpeyuoU
brigade $50 called because recruited from
stonewall country that he acquired his now fa-
nous sObnquet.
The rebel account of Jaekson's early opera
tions at Winchester, if not veraciUus enough for
history, will at least not fatigue you; it has not
been reproduced in this section, believe.
In March, they say, Winchester was again
threatened by such overwhelming forces, under
Gen. Banks, that every arrangement was made
for an evacuation. The government stores and
hospitals were removedi the various clothing
and cooking societies were disbanded, and moth |
ing left pertaining to an army but the men com
posing it. JacksOn's whole force, including |
cavalry and militia, did not amount to 5000 men |
nevertheless be twice offered battle to the Union
troops, on the 9TH and lth of March. On the |
night of the llth he withdrew without an en-
gagemsnt, and on the morning of the 18th the |
enemy marched into Winchester squadron of |
in advance of them, According to Gen. Shields |
account there was a Union force of $4,000 in the |
town at the time of the battle fought on the 23d
of March. Jackson with only $500 men return
ed to Winchester from Newmarket, and fought |
the battle of KearnstOWn-Un:on loss not less |
than 1000, Confederate loss 4I5. Barring the |
imaginative elements in this account it is not |
without interest.
"Stonewall Jackson is everywhere describe as |
,,4a1 oil I,7l1
say he was tedious professor, and all agree |
that he has creeping look And yet, if you |
ask them now what tn y mean by that, they say |
they do not know; all they do know is, that he |
is obstinate as a mule, and plucky as a bull |
dog which means Just nothing Of man whose !
prime qualityis is ceerity, quick conclusions, and |
startling execution; who, as a soldier, is as rap
id as be is wary abounding in surprises, brave /
almost to rashness, ard inventive almost TO ro-
nance.
AS for his outward man, he looks at least |
seven years older than he is-his hight about |
FIVE feet ten inches; his figure thick-set, square
shouldered, and decidedly clumsy; his gait very
awkward, STOPPING, and with long strides. He |
often walks with his head somewhat on one side, |
and his eyes fixed upon the ground, imparting |
to his whole appearance that abstracted quality |
which young ladies describe as absent minded |
A lady who has known him long and well has |
without tlaughing-short stirrups, knees cramped |
up, heels stuck out behind, and chin on his /
breast-a most unmilitsry phenomenon. In So
ciety he is quiet, but cheerful, not loquacious,
but Intelligent and shrewd; in religion, the blu |
est kind of Presbyterian, and extremely strict |
in his church observances. In Winchester he |
took very active part in revivsls, and hsbitual |
ly led the union prayer meetings.
To illustrate the popularity OF the man: |
~ L. l. L. Io,,, l.,
public, the expediency of removing him from |
his command was at one time freely discussed |
in the Confederate Cabinet, and all but two |
members favored the motion, these two arguing |
that a man of such exemplary modesty, and yet |,
of such intense religious enthusiasm and indom |
liable firmness, must possess those moral ele- |
ments which, combined with his military edu-
cation and experience, should constitute great
general. Their opposition served to postpone
decision and the motion was held under consid-
Grafton Meantime, the people of the Valley got
wind Of the affair, and with great outcry of
indignation and threats, so assailed the powers
at Richmond that the question was dropped
like hot potato 1t was about this time that
jackson sent to Richmond his rebel-iamous dis
patch--'Send me more men and no orders, or
more orders and no men,
"Such is the rebel Napoleon, for whom his
people venture to claim that in four weeks be
has marched ,}1U miles ana won fOuf NlctOIleS
that he has crippled or dispersed the forces OF
Milroy and Schenck at Mcdowell, Banks at
Front Royal and Winchester, Fremont at Cross
Keyes, and Shields at Port Republc-that be
| holds Mcdowell in check to take care ct Wash
ington and Maryland, and monoplzes, for the
amusement of the world, the attention Of six
distinguished generals.
| TRAVEL IN SOUTHERN KENTUCKY We
| learn from the Princeton (ky.) Var Ne1oS, that
the trains on the Memphis branch of the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad only run, for the
present, as far as the State line. The Tennes-
see company have failed, until recently, to do
anything in the way of repairing their portion
| &c tbo road which was deStroved nv rebel van