Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-06-29
The Grave OF Jackson

Mr.. Swinton the historian, writes to
the New York Times. from Lexington.
Va. in reference to Stone wall Jack son, as
follows -
stood I'll, evening in the light Of the
descending sun at the grave of different
type-ai The grave of Jackson, "ln Lex
ing,un in the Valley of VIrgnis;" and
here he lies in the quie. village c.iurch-
yard. A simple slab is at the head with
only the name, General Thomss }
Jackson" and at his feet a slone with the
Initials "'r. ] j." garland OF flowers
lay on the grave; and in my heart could
feel no other emotion than one OF tender
interest in such proofs OF affection.
Jackson. for the ten years previous TO
the outbreak Of the war. was professor IN
.he Military Institute ehere-"Protesso OF
Natural Philosophy and Arullery Tac-
ii s." | have seen and talked with ma,
ny Of his neighbors and fsmillars. and
have even met several negroes who were
members of The eolo,sd Sabbath school
which he established here and cOndUcl, d
with great success for many years. As a
teacher he was decidedly unpopular. and
II is said that he was malsdIOit in his
experiments, which often resulted IN ludi-
crous blundsrs, al which hs would laugh
as heartily as the lads in his c'ass. A.
one lime he determined TO acquire the art
OF public speaking. and with tins view he
Joined The Franklin Society. literary az.
sociahon which existed for many years,
and which s,ill exists, in Lexington. He
used to take part in the debates. but with
the most distressing s;ammerings, halt.
ings, and breakdowns, and never attained
any more than a mediocre faculty ofsu!-
terance. As he came more under the IN.
fuehce Of the religious sentiment. sfler
the death OF his first wife. he ceased 10 al.
tend the Franklin Society. and becoming
more and more moody and eccentric, he
grew more and more unpopular. Indeed.
he was looked upon as kind Of mild lu-
ns,ic. and the Board had frequent meet
ings with view Of Gisplacing him from
his chair in the Academy. AT length the
war broke out, and The qualities that had
smouldered in mere fre-dsmp suddenly
burst into clear and steady flame. All
the people here speak of the wonderful
change ,ha, came over him at The out.
break of the war. Though he had been
all his life an ardent State Rights Demo
crst. ys. he bitterly opposed secession.
Nevertheless, when the war came, he
threw into il all the tremendous energies
Of his nature. Then his religious fervor
became guiding ligh, and an impellng
power. Hs believed that he was 3heral-
ly led by the hand of God. "Most men,
will think" he said referring to his over.
Nwhelming attack a, Charlottesville. .''ihst
had planned il all from the first. bu, j,
as moi SO. simply took advantage OF
circumstances as they presented them.
selves to me in the Providence Of God
feel tina. his band led me-" Long be-
fore the war, and even in regard 10 minor
matters. he used Ia express the same
vieVs OF Divine Intervention aud insrira-
ilan. aud in one of his letters, which I
have read.he says that '',lrouph the prsre
gwen him frrm above" he feels that rain
will fall at such and surh t;me. Ger.
'aInly he was an extra rdinary nap; ufd
standing by his rIsve this evening i.srem.
sa'o Isallzs lhskihers lay below ihs only,
10 4