Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-07-05
BY w. A. LEE AND HUGH WILSON

abroad. Hence his inscrutablo mys-
terry. lie would not permit his mon
to inquire tho names of tho towns
through which they passed, and on
the march against General Mcclellan
at Richmond issued general order
directing the troops to reply "'I don't
know" to ovcry question.
Meeting a man struggling toward q
chorry tree ho said.
"Whore arc you going?"
"I don't know" was tho reply.
"To what ,osimont do you bclongY'
"I don't know"
. "What do you mean 2"
~ don't know"
Jackson laughed quietly and passed
on. lie said that if his coat know
what he designed, he would take it of
and burn it. He would encamp for
tho night al cross roads, aud the quid.
nuncs were in despair at their inabili.
ty to determine toward what point of
the compass he would march on tho
morrow. About to abandon the
valley, he publicly directed careful
maps to be made of tho region, as
though intending campaign therein.
Whom one of his staff engaged dinner
few miles ahead Of his advancing
column, be aduonishcd himof error.
How did he know that tho column,
would pass that point?
There were few who failed him at
such moments. Tho sight Of Jackson
upon those occasions seemed to turn
tho heads of tho troops. They forgot
all elso and grew rcck!esr; and when
men became reckless they go far
Cedar Bun furnished an instance of
this. The left wing, formed of Jack
sons veterans, was broken, and in ten
minutes tho battle would have boon
lost. There were no reserves to put
in, and Jackson rallied tho troors in
person. The result was such as we
have described. A single shout Of
"Stoncwall Jackson :" ran along the
line, and it was reformed in moment.
In front Of them they saw a sword
shining through the smoke Of action,
and recognized tho old faded cap, and
the piercing oycs Of their chiof. The
result was a now assault, and ono of
tho most important of Jackson's vic
tories.
Ills tcnacity and strength of will
seemed to have no limit. Nothing ap
poarcd to affect that supreme resolu-
ton. Such man is tho master of
fate, and, with his iron hand, directs
events. Napoleon trusted to his star,
and Jackson it is said, believed in his
destiny-a word which he construc-
ted, to mean success against his cnc--
mics wherever he encountered them.
Ho was man of great kindnoss, Of
an extraordinary sweetness Of tom
per, tender hearted, easily moved to
pity, and all pure emotions. He was
simple and 1nostcntatious in his man
ners and habits. He cared not what
he ate, and would sleep in a fence
corner as willingly as in bed. His
old coat was covered with dust col
lected from tho battle fields of many
regions, as he slept upon the earth in
rude bivouac, after the hard fought
day. All this endeared him to his
soldiers, ut whose camp fires he would
stop to talk in the friendly fashion Of
the officers Of Napoleon, and whose
rations he would frequently share
The sight of his faded coat and cadet
cap was the sign to cheer, and "Old
Jack" was personally adored, as, in his
military capacity, he was regarded by
his men as the greatest of leaders.
His manner was stiff and his voice
curt, but his smile was one of extra
ordinary sweetness. A lady declared
it "angolic." 1t was certainly tho
most friendly imaginable, and charm
ed all. who, convorsed with him
Even. bis peculiarities BECAME sources
of popularity, and endeared him tc
his troops. 1t was said of Suwarrow
that his men mimicked him, gave him
nicknames, and adored him. It was
the same with, jackson. His NOR
laughed at big >dingy old, uniform, hi
cap fitting forward on his nose, his
awkard strides, his abstracted air, AND