The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-09-25
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Stonewall Jackson's Grave.

St0neWalI JackSOn'S S GraVe.
"Essex," travelling correspondent Of
the New Orleans Crescent, writes as fol-
lows of visit to the grave of Stonewall
Jackson;
"Bury me at Lexington, in the Valley
of Virginia" These were among the last
words uttered by Stonewall Jackson.
1t was natural that Jackson should de-
sire to be buried here, for it was here he
had lived for several years before the
aarums of war called him to the tented
field 1t was here that "Major" Jackson
was somewhat uncouch and eccentric.
but always faithful and accomplished,
professor, in the Virginia Military Insti-
tutc. 1t was here that the remains of one
of his children were reposing. But [ can
very easily imagine that an entire stran-
ger, without any local attachments to
Lexington, might desire it as his last rest
ing place 1t is beautiful little inland
city, with bold mountain scenery in the
distance, all around, a highly cultivated
country adjacent. and society remarka-
BILE for its refinement and intelligence.
We can imagine that the spirit of Jack
son, from it's home in the skies, looks
down with celestial serenity upon the
| beautiful spot where its mortal remains
repose, at Lexington, in the Valley of
Virginia"
l have to-day stood by the grave of
Stonewall Jackson, with mingled emo
tions of sadness and satisfaction-sadness
that so brave spirit, SO true q man, so
Incompatible q soldier, and so earnest a
patriot should be lost forever to earth
and satisfaction that he was not now alive
to witness the desolation and agony ol
the land he loved, and the overthrow of a
cause which had been consccrated by the
tears, the prayers, the lifc-blood of thou
sands beside himself. Whatever the tu-
turc may have in store for us, whatever
storms nay come, whatever convulsions,
whatever shocks to our political and So
cial systems, "the past ut least is secure"
to Stonewall Jackson. He did his duty
than which no nobler epitaph cali be
written over a grave.
The cemetery at Lexington is on the
crown OF hill, on the road leading 20 the
Natural Bridge. Here, in the midst OF
where 0thc rude forcfathers of the hamlet
Sleep" Stonewall Jackson rests. When
entered the grounds could find no one
to point out his grave; and | wandered
about for some time, until at last | dis
covered the kneeling figure of u venerable
lady, dressed in deep mourning. She
was evidently at prayer.
"Kneeling upon the grass green sod,
With prayer, in t0rma pauperis, to God -
by the side of ncwly-madc grave. ]
turned at once, but she had heard my
footsteps, and rose and salutcd me. She
pointed out Jackson's grave, and returned
to her devotions. An iron railing incloscs
it, and, near the middle Of the lot the
great warrior lies buried, by the side OF
his infant child. No costly monument
rises over his grave. Two upright slabs
of marblc-ono at the head and one at
the foot-are ALL Upon the former is
carved only these words: "Gen. Thomas
J. Jackson" Upon the other, the initials,
"T. J. j." Nothing more, indeed, is ne
ccssary; no one need be told who Stone
wall Jackson was by fulsomc eulogiums
upon his tombstone lie himself "ereglt
monuo,encum erc perennius," in the hearts
of those he served and died for; and the
present surroundings of his grave become
the severe simplicity and modcsty OF his
character. An iron vase, filled with fresh
flowers, was placed on the mound and
this was all that specially distinguished
his grave from others. lie has crossed
over the river and rests under the shade
of the trees p until the last day, at LEX
ington, in the Valley of Virginia"