Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-05-27
GENERAL JACKSON.

and stunning that we have not the heart to dwell |
upon it. or to give him the tribute which his mem.
ory deserves. A braver, better man has never laid
his life the altar of human liberty and his DEATH
IS far as man can See is an irreparable loss. His
high religious character, his courage, Skill rapidity
of motion, and marvellous success had given him |
hold on the army such as no other man had and it |
was felt that his very name symbol of victory.
There was no man who inspired the enemy with SO
much terror, or for whom they had in their secret |
hearts . more unbounded respect. |
But it may be that we had begun to rely on his |
great name instead of that of the Lord our God,
and to teach US the lesson of absolute reliancs on
himself God has removed our beloved and idolised
General. We cannot now attempt to fathom this |
great sorrow, or interpret its meaning, but we know
that it is right and we bow in silent and sad sno
mission. j
The immediate cause of his death was pneumonia,
which his system, prostrated by the wounds and
amputation, was unable to cast of. And it is a
characteristic fact that the cold which issued in this
pneumonia was contracted by his unselfsh anxiety
for the health of some young members of his staff
The night before the battle was spent on the field
and having no extra covering at ALL after great ur
gency, he accepted the cape of of his aids but
in short time arose and gently laid it over the
young man, and spent the night just as he was
This exposure produced cold which ended in
pneumonia.
few nights before this battle an equally char
acerstic incident occurred that IS worthy of record
: He was discussing with Of his aids the proba
bility and issue of . battle when he became un-
usually excited. After talking it over fully, he
said, "My trust isin God" then as if the sound of
battle was in his he raised himself to his tallest
stature, and with flashing eyes and a face all ba-
zing with the fire of the conflict he exclaimed, 81
wish they. would come" This humble trust in
God combined with the spirit of the war-horse-
whose neck is ."clothed with thunder" and who
"smelleth the battle afar of, the thunder of the ;
captains and the shouting" made that rare and
lofty type of martial prowess that has shrined jack
son among the great heroes of the world Trust
in God and eagerness for the fray were two Of the
great elements of that marvellous success that
seemed to follow him like star, so that he was
never defeated or failed in anything he undertook
After he was wounded he retained his cheerful
ness and remarked to friend the pleasurableness
of the sensations in taking chloroform stating that
he was conscious of everything that was done to
him, that the saving Of his bone sounded to him
like the sweetest music and every sensation was
one of delight
Conversing with an aid he pointed to his mutila-
ted arm and said, "many people would regard this
| as great misfortune; regard it as one of the
| greatest blessings of my Efe." Mr. S. remarked,
"all things work together for good, to those that
"thats it, that's it'
When Gen. Lee wrote him that beautiful note, so
characteristic of his own generosity and worth:
"GENERAL-I have juss received your note in.
forming me tbat you were wounded. Ieannot ex-
press my regret at the occurrence. Gould have
dictated esents, should have chosen for the good
of the country to haye been disabled in your stoad
congratulate you upon the victory N'nch is due
to your skill and energy"
After hearing it read he said with bis usual mod.
esty and reverence, General Leo should give the
glory to God" He always seemed jealous for the
glory of his Saviour.
When it was told him that Gen. Stuatt-fed his
old Stonewall Brigade to the charge with the watch
word, "charge and remember Jackson" and that
inspired by this they made brilliant and reslstess
an onset, he was deeply moved, and said "it was
just like them, it was just like them. They are
noble body of men," He was deeply affected by
Gen. Paxton's death.
His mind ran very much on the Bible and re.
Igious topics. He inquired. of Lieut., s., theolog
ical student on his staff whether they had ever de-
bated in the Seminary the question, whether those
who miraculously cured by Jesus ever had
return of the disease. 6 do. not think" he said
"they could have returned, for the power was too
great The poor paralytic would never again shake
with palsy. OH for infinite powerl"
He endeavored to cheer those who were around
him. Noticing the sadness Of his beloved wife, he
said to her tenderly, 81 know you would gladly
give your life for me, but am perfectly resigned.
Do not be sad, l hope l shall recover. Pray for
me, but always remember in your prayer to use the
petition, thy will be done" Those who were
around him noticed remarkable development of
tenderness in bis manner and feelings during his
illness, that was beautiful mellowing of that iron
sternness and imperturbable calm that character
ised him in his military operations Advising his
wife in the event of his death to return to her faith
.ers house, he remarked: "You have kind and q
good father; but there is no one SO kind and good
as your heavenly Father" When she told him
that the doctors did not think he could live two
he replied sit will be infinite gain to be translated
to heaven and be. with Jesus" He then said he
had much to say to her, but was too weak.
He had always desired to die, if it were Gods
WILL the Sabbath, and seemed to greet its light
that day with peculiar pleasure saying with evil
dent delight "it is the Lords day." and inquired
anxiously what provision had been made for preach
ing to the army, and having ascertained that ar
rangemeEts were made, ho was contented. De-
lirium, which occasionally manifested itself during
the last two days. prevented some Of the utterances
of his faith which would otherwise have doubtless
! been made. His thoughts vibrated between re-
| lgious subjects and tho battlefield, now asking
some question about the Bible, or church history,
and then giving an order "pass the infantry to the
| 'front.'" "tell Major Hawks to send forward pro-
visions to the men" "let US cross the river and
rest under the shade of the trees" until at last his
gallant spirit gently passed over the dark river and
entered on its rest where the tree of life is blooming
! beside the crystal river in the better country.
Thus has passed away, this high.souled, heroic
man, falling like Sidney and Hampden in the begin
ming of the struggle leaving to those whosurvive him
| name and memory, that under God may compen-
safe for his early and to us apparently, untimely
fall. little child Of the family, when the hero
|. was dying was tainted with Jackson's wound by
| some Of the prisoners who we're collected there
awaiting transportation. 1--WE have hundred
Jacksons left if he does die" was the heroic reply
of the child And so we trust it will be- The spir.
of jackson will be hreathed ito thousand hearts
which will emulate his bravery, and seek to make
up for his loss, and in the end his memory and glo-
~, bis holy life, his manly piety, and his glorious
death may be richer blessing to US than If his life
bad been spared. He has shown the way to victory,
!: and We trust that many gallant spirit will come
forward eageriy to tread it. and that our dead hero
shall be worth to US more than host Of living ones