Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-04-24
20 the Puhlio.

AS some recent criticisms have attracted
public attention to my connexion with the
army of the Confederate States, aud as sew
eral of my friends have expressed a wish that
would, over my own. signature, present a
distinct statement of that connexioD, and of
its termination, l avail myself of the present
brief recess of the Jefferson Court to respond
to their wishes. i could not have done SO
at an earlier moment without neglecting
important interests ofothers confded to my
safe keeping.
Upon my return in the latter part of De-
cember 1861, from four months, confne-
ment in the Northern prisons, in passing
through Winchester to my home, met with
that remarkable man, Gen'l Thomas j. Jack
son: In the course of my brief interview
with him, in the. presence of Major Hawks,
OF Charlestown, l stated to him that there
was rumor in circulation, that he would
soon start upon an important military eu:er-
prise, The rnn1or to which alluded related
to probable attack upon the Federal forces
then at Romney, supposed to be 1l,000 in
number. told him whilst in prison, had
beguied nay tedious hours by reading every
thing that l could lay my hands on touching.
the sklrmlshes and battles which had been
fought between the two opposing armies !:
that it seemed to be almost Incredible that
men so. little trained to war could fight as
well as the papers described tho cozdnct of
the soldiers IN the fcld-that desired to be
an eye witness to one of these military move
meuts that might myself judge of the f.
deity OF these representations, AMI if it was
as true as reported, that he contemplated
military enterprise shortly, I would, if a
greeable to him, accompany it as a private
citizen. He smiled but made no reply to
the suggestion. On the following evening 1
received from Gen. Jackson the following
letter, brought to me by Capt. Bitter, Of
Clark:
WINCHESTER, Va, December 81, 1861
Hon. CHAs. j. FAULHSER-
DEAR Sir:-If you
can spare the tire and Take tile trouble will re.
gard IL as special favor to receive call from you
at Your earliest convenience.
Please answer by the bearer, Remember me
very kindly to Mrs. Fhuikuer
Very truly yours,
TT. JACKSON
In pursuance of this request proceeded
to Winchester. Gen. Jackson. then inqur-
ed of me whether it would be agreeable to
nc TO take permanent position on. his staff
told him it would not. He then gave me
to understand that military movement was
contemplated and he would be pleased 10
have me accompany it. l returned to Mar
tlnsburg. and according to appointment joined
him at Guger's Cross Roads, in Morgan
county, on the evening of the End day Of
january, 1862. From that point the army
took the direction OF Hancock instead Of
Romney, as was generally ANTICIPATED a
sudden and terrific change in the weather
produced a most disastrous and demoraliZing
influence upon the army. If he had ever
contemplated an attack upon the Federal
forces at Romney, the idea was abandoned
was with him about seven days, and parted
from him at Ungers. [ here formed my
first intimacy with Geu'l Jackson, eat at his
table, occupied the, same room, and enjoyed
his constant society. In this expedition he
complimentcd Inc with the title Of 1t. Col,
although had no official relation to the
army.
l next saw Gen. Jackson in September
1852 subsequent to the battle Of Sharrsburg.
when he was encampcl with his Division
near hlartinSburg. lie then ga5e ne to un-
dcrstand that Col. Paxton, bis then Adjutant
General, would be promoted to the rank OF
Brigadier General, aud he intimated his wish
that would accept the situation: gave him
no encouragement to think that would do SO.
In November, 1862, having then just re-
ceivcd his commission as Lieut.. General. lie
addressed me the following letter:
NOVEMBER l4ih, 1859.
DEAR COLoNEb I'll regret 10 hear of vUur rot be-
ing well, but hope that such will continue long
II agreeable 10 You, wil,try To secure your 0i,-
Poin'ment as.my senior Adjunnt General. What
the rank is do not koow as have not yet seen
the law which. determines the stuff o. Leureaau,
General bur that is the position which has LeeI
kept open tor y"U md IL is desirable that E,v
staff should be filled up please let me know whether
the arrangement will be agreeable TO you
TT. JACKSON.
Col c. ]. Faulkner.
Upon receipt of this I paid him visit to.
his Head Quarters. In that interview he
earnestly pressed upon me the acceptance of
the position of his chief of staff 1 stated
frankly my objections to the position, and he
sought to remove them. 1t was thea he is.-
formed me that he had made no report of his
battles since the affair at Kernstown, em>
braeing the period of nearly a year, marked
by the most active military "perations--that
he was pressed for reports by Gen. Lee. and
by the Confederate Congress. He spoke Of
the efforts he had made to have them pre-
pared-of his own disappointment, and of the
pain and concern which these disappontmeuts
gave him-hc said | could render him per-
sopally an important service in that matter;
and he hoped would not decline to do so.
l left him with the assurance that would
accept the position and prepare his reports,
and returned to Appomattox county, and he
movedwith his army towards Fredericksburg.
About three weeks atte, wards, on the Sth of
December. was taken with the small pox,
and being advised by my physician, Dr. Hin
k|e, thuti might not be safe for me to leave
the house for some months. wrote a letter
to Gen. Jackson, declining the appointment.
Ireceived from i'm in reply the following
letter:
CAROLINE County,. Va, !
December 49, 1862. I
DEAR COLONEL: I'll have received your letter de-
Ginning the appointment on my staff appreciate
your patr oiir motives, hut regret the necessity
had hoFed that it would have heen my privilege to
be associated with yon chief staF Officer du-
ring The remainder of the war. have also had the
ple.su eoEEeceying the teIegram of your improving