Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-01-16
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
TIE GRAVE OF sT0NEWALL JACKSON.

In response to our own feelings, no less
than in compliance wftha request for its pub
licatica, we present the following appeal to
the survivors ofthe gallant Stonewall Brigade,
We are also requested by Capt. Sheerer to
state that he will cheertully receive any con-
tributions that may be rendered for the pur-
pose specified in the appeal. We feel that
it is unnecessary to say more to the men who
followed Stonewail Jackson:
WINCHESTER, Jan. l, 1885.
IoMe .SErUrorS of the iSt0ncsraU Byiyn,Te.
I'write to you on a subject IN which YOU
must ever feel deep interest. "A strone, rev
ercnce for the memory of Stonewall Jackson
and strict regard to our renewed allegiance
to the United States need not be inconsistent.
much less conflicting. Were he living he
would still be our friend although not our
| General. lie is dead it is right that we
should not neglect the memory OF SO good
man.
When Gen. Jackson died, Mrs Jackson
had his body taken to Lexington and buried,
as she thought most consistent with his wishes
and his character, in the grave yard of his
church. There after his brilliant aud renown-
ed career, he sleeps i'll simple grave-qui-
| city and we'll.
Shortly after tho death OF our General
when the Stouewall Brigade met together to
| take such action as they deemed proper to
! show their respect for their lost General and
friend, they determined, appropriately and
delicately, to endcavor to get Mrs. JacksOu's
permission to place a simple monument over
| his remains,
l was instructed to communicate this car
nest wish OF The Bri gade in the matter and to
request the compliance of Mrs. Jackson with
| that wish if it were agreeable to Ler feelings
I She kindly replied that she sincerely appre-
ciated the motives which prompt d the re-
| quest and that it was a pleasure to her to be
able thus to crafty body Of soldiers and
! friends whom she loved as they had loved her
husband. She accordingly granted the re-
! quest with only the condition that the propos>
! ed monument should be characterized by
simplicity as the Generals life had been
| Subscriptions were accordingly raised, cou~
! fined to the members of the Stonewall Brigade
and the Rockbridge. Artillery, and the sum
| OF six thousand dollars was, in a week. placed
in my hands and by me deposited in bank in
Richmond. AS it was not deemed practical
! bic to erect a suitable monument during the
| war, the money was converted into ConiGdcr-
ate bonds. 1t was lost Gen. Jackson's
| grave is unmarked by a single stone. The
!
| ganization, but many of its men still survive,
! and with them sacred regard for the memo
| ry of their first commander. TO the survivors
Of this Brigade and the Rockbridge Artillery
formerly an important part Of it now
| propose, having received the consent of Mrs
jackson, to erect suitable monument over
the grave of our friend. 1t is a tribute to the
mighticst and best beloved of our dead,
| which | conceive can in no wise conflict with
our duty to State or country. We may sure
| ly mark the spot where lies the body Of him
whom history will make live forever.
To the end of this letter are appended the
names OF gentlemen in different parts of Vir-
! ginia, where the former members of the Bri-
! gade principally reside, to whom the subscrip>
lions can be paid When the necessary sum
is raised, arrangements will be made to have
the monument erected at once, after consulta-
ton on its style and character with Mrs
/ jackson and the influential friends of The
/ General. 1t is desirable that the matter should
| be conducted with the same delicacy which
characterized the original undertaking. No
appeal, hope, is necessary to the honor and
feelings Of the survivors of that old Brigade
To our keeping has been conided the remains
! of that great and christian soldier, whose hon
ored name We shared for four eventual years
Very Respectfully,
HENRY KYD DOUGLAS.
Formerly Inspector Stoncwall Brigade,
and y. /. Gcn'l to Gen jackson.