The Semi-weekly Shreveport news. [volume] (Shreveport [La.]) 1862-1864, 1862-07-08
robbers at the inn among the noun.
tains.
Memoir Of General +. J. jackson.

Memoir Of General +. J. jackson.
A friend of this illustrious warrior
has enabled tho Richmond dispatch
to give tho following sketch of his
life previously to his acceptance of a
command in the Confederate army.
He was born in Clarksburg, in the
county of Lewis in the year 1926, of
highly respectable parents, both Of
whom died during his infancy, leav-
him without q cent in the world.
During his early childhood he re-
sided with an uncle, whose name we
did not hear. and At the ago Of six
teen he had conducted himself so
well. and produced such a favorable
impression Of his energy and integ-
rity that he was chosen constable of
the county. In ls42 a Cadet had
been appointed from the district to
West Point. who declined to 60.
Jackson Immediately conceived the
idea of filing the place he had left
vacant. Our informant says, that
one day while it was raining exceed
ingly hard, he suddenly burst into
his office. the rain streaming from
his clothes, aud told him tina. he
must give him letter to Mr.. Hayes.
at that time representative in Con
cress from the Lewis District.-Up-
on being asked what he wanted with
such letter. he wished to so to
West Point. His friend pointed out
to him what he regarded as the alb
surdity of such a scheme. seeing
that he was very deficient in educa-
ton, and would, therefore, probably
not be able to stand the preliminary
examination. He acknowledged the
alledged deficiency, but said he was
sure, he had the perseverance to
make it up. He obtained the letter
without further difficulty and that
very evening borrowed horse, I'M
der promise to send him back by a
boy whom he carried with him and
rode to Clarksburg to take the stage.
1t had been raining for weeks as it
can only rain in that country; the
roads were muddy rs they are muddy
nowhere else that ever we heard Of
J Jackson arrived in time. but on ac-
count Of the muddy roads the Post
Master had furnished the mail an
hour before time, and the stage was
already gone. With characteristic
fidelity TO his promise, Jackson sent
the horse back, instead of riding him
on in pursuit Of the stage. and took
it foot through the mud. After a
run of fifteen miles, he overlook the
stage. jumped in, went to Washing
ton all muddy as he was, presented
his letter to Mr.. Hayes. and was by
hiz,, in turn, presented to the Secre-
tary of War. who gave him the COW
eted warrant At West Point he
severely felt the want Of early edu-
cation; but his indomitable spirit
overcame ever obstacle. He was
never marked for a dement, during
the four years, and gre uated with
the class of 1876, the same in which
Mcclellan graduated.
The Young graduate was ordered
off Immediately, with the rank of I'd
Lieutenant, to join Gen. Taylor
army in the valley OF the Rio Grande
He arrived after the battles of Pale
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Mon.
terey, and before that of Ruena Visit;
was ordered 10 join Gen. Scott be
fore Vera Cruz. At the seige of this
latter place he commanded a battery
and attracted att-n,ionby his coohnes.
and the Judgment with which he
worked his guns, and was promoted
lst Lieutenant. For his conduct a
Cerro Gordo. he was br-vettcd Cap
tain. He was in all SCOTS battle.
to the city eff Mexico, and behaved
SO we'll that he was brevetted Major
for his services. On one occasion h,