Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-06-25
STONEWALh JACKSON
"Reminiscences by Gov. Lstoher Of
Virginia.

From the Correspondents of William Swlnton,
tho Historian, with the New York Times
during Southern Tour
was fortunate enough, however, for
at least part Of the way, to have pleas
anter mode Of travel, ex'Governor
Lstcher having come to give me ride
to the Natural Bridge, which is on the
main road to Bonsacks. and fourteen
miles from Lexington. aIIId rfAt
The latter place is the old home of the
OK Governor, who is now settled there in
the practice Of law. For the sake of his
old.time acquaintance, may say that his
countenance still shines with the same
ruddy glow as of yore, and though he is
reduced now a.days to very plain home
spun his jovial good nature has outworn
all the changes Of fortune. / will own
that before met Letcher, had figured
him to myself as sort of Bardolph and
Pistol character; but on acquaintance |
found him to be man OF thorough good
sense. IHs a
During our ride Governor Letct.er
flowed out in many "reminiscences of the
war, and l regret that / did not note
down these recollections, | remember
be said that after the secession of Vir-
ginia (to which he was strenuously
opposed), he was very desirous that the
State should not merge itself. in the
Confederacy, but forming an alliance
offensive and defensive Herewith, should
retain the control of its own fortunes.
They told him, "0h, the Confederacy will
pay your debts" but he knew that Vir.
ginia was far better able to pay her own
Al h nNAfol 10
claims to have first discovered the merits
of Lee and jackson, having made the
former o Major General and the Com
mander of Virginia military force, ard
having commissioned the latter to Col
onelcy and sent him to command the
State troops at Harper Ferry
In regard to Jackson, he said that for
a long time Davis and the Richmond
people had believed him to be no better
than Innate, and the way in which
Davis first learned TO appreciate what
was in him was in this wise : In the spring
campaign of 1862 in the valley, Jackson,
after causing Fremont and Banks to re.
treat, turned on his track finding himself
pursued by two eonverging columns, and
withdrew up the valley. But at Cross
Keys he suddenly faced about and dealt
Fremont staggering blow. Letcher
receiving dispatch announcing the vic
tory (he was in the habit of getting ear
lier intelligence OF Jackson's operations
than was received in the War Office in
Richmond), went and read the message
to Davis. The latter, however, would
not believe the news, saying that it was
impossible that retreating army should
have thus turned upon and beaten its
pursuers. 'Letcher however, insisted
that it was true, as he knew his informant
would not send anything that was not
true, and told Davis that he would prob
ably find out its verify by the morrow
Now, by the next day Jackson, hav-
ing disposed of Fremont, crossed the
river, and at Port Republic overwhelmed
the other pursuing column-the column
Of Shields, which had been pursuing on
the other side of the river. Receiving q
dispatch announcing this new success,
Leicher again repaired TO Davis house,
where he found Benjamin and Sedden
and the Cabinet at dinner, and after
taking glass Of wine, he asked Davis
Well, have you any confirmation OF the
news showed you yesterday o." Yes,
replied Davis received to-day one
Of Jackson's laconic dispatches, saying
that by the blessing OF God he had
beaten the enemyr' And now, then,
rejoined Letcher, / have another bull
leIin Of victory 70 show you, handing
him the message containing the news OF
the success at Port Republic, Of which
Davis had not yet heard. II cant be
so, exclaimed the latter; IL isimpOs
sible; IL unprecedented in all military
history that an army in faA retreat should
thus turn upon and overwhelm tive pur-
suing colnmnsr Nevertheless the con
frmation again came 10 hand, and after
that Jackson was no longer regarded as
a lunatie-
The Governor also. told me another
fact in regard 10 Jackson, which think
has not been Published Il concerns
Jackson's resignation. Il appears that
At the tine that oficer made what Is
called the Bath campaign, into Western
Virginia, several subordinaies went 70
Richmond and complained grievously Of
Jackson, whom they pronounced cray.
10 reward for this service these officers
we're promoted, and jackson, learning
The fact feeling aggrieved and outraged,
sent persmptory resignation 70 the
Richmond War 0lice. Letehsr, Ecci-