The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-09
Stonewali Jackson-Singular and Inter esting
Narrative In Conneetio with his Death.

new book, Excel and Saddle" General
Revere is descendant of Paul Revere, of
the Midnight RiLe to Lexington" and
dedicates his book to two near relatives,
nephews or cousins, Major Paul J. Revere,
who fell at Gettysburg, and Surgeon f. II.
Revere, killed at Antietam:
Arriving at New Orleans in 1862, | was
soon on my way up the Mississippi and
Ohio. Among my fellow-passengers on
the Steamer was Lieutenant Thomas j.
Jackson, Of the United States army, who
seemed at first remarkably quiet, re-
served, although very intelligent officer,
and with whom | soon became acquainted;
for there is everywhere sort of camerade.
rie among officers Of the two services which
attract them to each other in q crowd of
strangers. For several days the inland
voyage continued; and our nights were
partly spent upon the hurricane deck of
the steamer, engaged in conversation. One
of these conversations was so peculiar that
it fixed itself in my memory, and SUISSE
quent events proved it worthy of record,
although | confess, hesitate to put in
writing anything which seems to border so
nearly on the marvellous.
One clear starlight night, as we glided
along the calm river, our conversation
turned upon the armament and its count
less orbs that looked down upon us. Jack
son asked me if had ever been induced 10
take flight from the study of nautical as
tronomy, practiced by all naval officers,
into the realms Of astrology. | replied
that had always been Interested, more or
lts., in those mathematical studies required
in nautical calculations and that, from the
exact rules demanded for working the vari-
Gus problems of the ephemeries, | had
sometimes, to amuse the idle hours of
sea-life, worked out the nativties of nv
shipmates. l had even takeL Zadkiel's
almanac, and used his rules, but without
believing in the science of judicial astroogy.
Jackson, however, was not SO incredulous;
although it was evident that he had not
then decided fully within himself as to the
truth OF falsehood of this exploded science.
Before we parted at Pittsburg, day
or two alter this conversation, had given
Jackson the necessary data for calculating
horoscope; and in the course of few
months received from him letter, which
preserved, inclosing scheme of my ma
tivity. As any one who may have cacu-
lated these schemes by the rules must
know, horoscope may be interpreted in
various, even contradictory terms, by diff
ferent persons; and this was no excep-
ton to the rule. The only reason had
for remembering it at all was, that our
destinies seemed to run in parallel lines
and, so far, it was remarkable. 1t was
this popularity that caused Jackson to
communicate with me, and the reason why
l laid it carefully aside for resxamina-
ton.
The several planets were placed in their
respective houses above and below the
horizon; and Saturn being near the me-
ridian, and approaching a square with the
moon, great danger was to be apprehended
by the native at the period when the as
pect became complete. Mars, also, bore
threatening aspect; while Jupiter was be-
low the horizon, and semi-sextile, which
was noe altogether unfavorable. There
was no trine, and the sextile was weak.
Altogether, from the evil aspect of the
square OF Saturn, which threatened an
opposition-that most dreaded of all the
evil aspects of the heavens-the scheme
was quite dangerous and malign. The
precise time and nature of the threatened
danger requiring q second calculation, ac-
companied the scheme, demonstrating the
elimination of the malign aspect within
some ten years, or during the first days of
May, 1858; at which time the native ran
great risk of life ard fortunes; but, in case
he survived the peril, the ominous period
would never again recur.
In his letter jackson says: 81 have
gone over these calculations several times,
as their result is almost an exact reproduce
ton of my own. 1t is clear to me
that we shall both be exposed to a common
danger at the time Indicated" Having lit.
tic faith in the almost forgotten and alto
gether repudiated science of astrology, |
took little heed of either his scheme Of ma
tivity OF his letter, regarding the former as
ingenious, but as merely proof Of an ar
dent and somewhat enthusiastic tempera-
ment while little imagined, at that time,
that the rather unpublished and rugged exte-
rior Of Lieutenant Jackson concealed a
character destined to become famous among
his countrymen.
served in the army Of lS61-'G3 unit
after the battle of Charlottesville, partie-
pating in all its important engagements, and
the greater part of the time commanding q
brigade. At the battle above named |
was an involuntary witness of an event
which had an important bearing on the
issue of the war, and which had been.the
subject of prolonged controversy. refer
to the death of Stonewall Jackson. The
circumstances under which acquired the
right to give testimony in the matter were
somewhat remarkable; and here give
full statement of them. The left of my
brigade line lay near the plank road at
Charlottesville; and, after night had fallen,
rode forward, according to my invarable
habit, to inspect my picket line. The moon
had risen and partially illuminated the
woods. ! began my inspection on the right
ofthe picket line progressing gradually to the
lett, where stopped to rectity the post of
a sentinel not far from the plank road.
While thus engaged l heard the sound Of
hoofs from the direction of the enemy's
line, and paused to listen. Soon caval.
eade appeared approaching US. The FORE
most horseman detached himself from the
main body, which halted not far from us,
and, riding cautiously nearer, seemed to
try to pierce the gloom. He was SO close
to US that the soldier nearest me leveled
his rifle for shot at him but ! forbade
him, as did not wish 20 have our position
revealed !; and it would have been useless
to kill the man, whom / judged to be a
staff officer making reconnaissance.
Having completed his observations, this
persnn reininea tho urOnp in hio raor and