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


Mr.. Swinion tells what he learned from
Governor Lelcher about Sionew Jack
son. as follows -
For the sake Of bis old-fime acquain-
tances | may say that his Governor
Lelcher's) countenance still shines with
the same ruddy glow as Of yore. and tho
he is reduced nowadays 10 very plain
homespun. his iovial good nature has
ou,~ orn all the changes Of fortune.
will own that before met ietcher | had
figured. him to myself as sort of Bar
dolph and Pistol character; but on ac
qnain,ance found him TO be man of
thorough good sense. he
claims to have first discovered the merits
of Lee end Jackson, having himself made
the fotmer major-gene:al and The COM
mander Of the Virginia military force,
and having commissioned she latter to q
colonelcy and sent him to command the
State troops a, Harper's Ferry.
In regard 10 Jackson. ne said that Tor
long time Davis and The Richmond peo.
pie had believed him to be no better than
lunalic, and The way in which Davis
frs, learned to appreciate what was IN
him was in this wise: In the spring cam
paign Of 1852. in the Valley. Jackson.
after causing Fremon, and Banks to re-
treat, turned on his track, finding himself
pursued by two convergiDg columns. and
Withdrew up the Valley. Blu, a. Cross
Keys he suddenly faced about and deal'
Fremont staggering blow. Letcher re.
ceiving dispatch announcing this vicio.
~ (he was in lhe habi, of getting earller
intelligence of Jackson's operations than
was received in the War Office in Rich.
nond.l went and read The message 10 Ds.
Wis. The latter, however, would moi be-
ieve The news, saying iha, il was impos'
sble that reireating army should have
lhus luined upon and beaten lis pursuers.
Leicher. however, insisted il was true, as
D he knew his informant would no, send
any thing that was not true, and lie told
Davis that he would probably find out It's
verify by the morrow. Now, by the
next day, Jackson, having disposed Of
Fremont, crossed the river, and al Port
Republic overwhelmed the other pursu.
ing column-ihe column Of Shields. ahich
had been pursuing on the other side Of the
: river. Receiving dispatch announcing
, this new success, Leicher again repaired
to Davis's house, where he found Btn]a.
2 min and Seldom and the Cabinet al din.
. ner, and after taking g ass OF wine he
asked Davis: "Well, have you any con-
r J Of tho l bnmDI
lerdsy?" YES" replied Davis, 81 re-
D ceved to day one Of Jackson's lacnnlr
. dispatches, saying that, "by the blessing
I of God. he had beaten the enemy!' "And
now. them" rtj"Ined Le,cher. IL have
another bulletin of victory to show you,
handing him the message containing the
, news of the success at Port Republic, OF
which Davis had moi ye, heard. alt
can't be So" exclaimed the latter; "ll is
= impossible; i, is unprecedented in all mil
l,ary history that an army in full retreat
5 should thus turn upon and whelm
two pursuing columns! Nevertheless.
J the confirmation again came 10 hand. and
! after thai Jackson was no longer regarded
as a lunsnc.
The Governor also told me another fact
in regard to jackson, which lhink has
not been published. |, concerns JacSson's
, resignation. Ii appears iha, a, the time
, that officer made what is called The Bath
campaign into Western Virginia. several
subordinates went 10 Richmond and com.
planned erievously of Jackson, whom
they pronounced crazy. In reward for
+ this service these officers were promoted,
and Jackson, learning the fact, and feeling
!, aggrieved and outraged sent peremP'ory
; resignation TO The Richmond War Office.
, Le,cher, accidentally hearing this fact.
wen, 10 the Office. and asking about it.
was informed by Benz amin that it was so.
! On inquiring what they were going TO do
; abou, it. Benjamin said he did not know;
whereupon Lelcher asked for the paper,
and putt, in his pocket. He then wrote
letter 10 Jackson begging him 10 with
draw the resignation. telling him wha, he
had done, and stating he should not re.
turn the paper unless he positively SO or
dersd. After liule he got letter from
Stone all stating that he cOnfided in him
as friend, and authorizing him, if be
really thought fii, to Withdraw the resig
nation. This he promptly did, and thus
This closed the business.
In addition to these military reminis-
cences the ex. Governor told me multi.
,ude Of most extraordinary ,hiDgs-wbich
| have Io inclination to repeat--regarGlng
The encouragement and support the Southl
received in the early secession days from
many persons. since in very high places.