Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-06-02
GENERAL JACKSON.

Inc Richmond sentinel learns some very curl
Gus circumstances connected with Gen1 Thos. j.
Jackson's appointment to the Professors Chair
in the Virginia Military Institute.
The appointment was made in 1851. When
the vacancy occurred which jackson was des-
tined to fill, GenI Smith, the superintendent,
was instructed by the Board of Visitors to seek
by private inquiries, some one suitable for the
position. Among those to whom he first applied
was Gen'l ID. III. Hill, then professor in Wash
inton College, we believe. Hill warmly recon-
mended L. j. jackson, then serving in the army
In + lorida. Hill at that time had no family con-
nection with Jackson; but he knew him well,
and with a penetration and sagacity that did him
much credit, declared that he was not only a
competent, faithful, reliable man, but had a
great deal ofssoutcome'' in him.
Repairing subsequently to West Point, Gen'l
Smith addressed his inquirids to the faculty
there. They recommended eligible for the
position. Mcclellan, Rosencranz, Foster, Peck,
and Gustayus w. Smith the first four now no.
ted Federal Generals, and the last officer of high
rank In our own service, until his late resigna-
ton. Upon Gen'l Smiths stating that Jackson
bad been recommended, they said of him that
he was an indefatigable man, and would do we'll;
but he had come to the academy badly prepared.
Enquiries at New York and Fortress Monroe,
further developed the fact that the persons re-
commended at West Point, were considered bet
ter book men than jackson, but all bore testi-
ergy, and his sterling qualities.
When the Board Of Visitors met, Gen'l Smith
reportedthe name of Jackson to the Board, to-
gether with statement of the recommendations
and encomiums already referred to.
1t happened that there was on the Board a
member who appeared on that occasion for the
first time andthe last. He at once advocated
Jacksou's appointment, though evidently taken
by surprise at the suggestion of his name. He
spoke in very high terms of Jackson, whose
townsman he said he was, and told of the 81 eat
pleasure which his appointment would give to
the place of Northwest Virginia. The man who
thus eulogized Jackson was j. S. CARLILE. He
was the only one of the Board who knew jack
son, and he warmly advocated him before the
Jury of strangers.
Influenced by what they had thus heard, the
Board, without the usual delays, at once order
ed the appointment to be rendered to jackson.
The state of his health at the time aided in caus-
ing him to accept it.
OF all the gifted men with whom General jack
son was thus brought into comparison and to
whom he was adjudged by all save Hill and his
Virginia friends to be inferior which one of
them has be not immeasurably outstrpped, IN
the exhibition Of high capacity, and Christian
virtue. a yirtue subllmer than Roman ever knew!
They were ranked before him, but the lnspira-
ton within him. and which needed only occasion
to deyelope it. swiftly asserted its authority, and
poured mockery on the judgment OF short-sight-
ed men attracted by the brightness Of outside
tinsel. jackson will live in the admiration of
the world and the affections OF great republic,
long after those whose prospects for fame and
distinction seemed fairer, shall have been even
FORGOTTEN