Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-11-09
MiscELlANIE GUS.
sToNEWALLr JACKSON.
From the Richmond VIII. ]


10 the Editor of The IFAiy :-Evoryt
which can illustrate the character of Jackson
is of value aud of especial interest now.
In June, 1912, a. p. Hill, George E.
Pickett, 3. D. Fry and the writer, having
passed our first week at the military academy,
wore standing together on the south side of
the old South Barracks at West Point when
cadet sergeant came by us conducting
newly>arrivcd cadet to his quarters. This
new conner attracted our attention ct onco.-
lie was apparently about 20 years of age,
&c; was we'll grown; his figure was angular
and clumsy; his gait was awkward He was
clad in -t
OLD. FASHIONED VIRGINIA noMEspuN
woollen cloth he bore aeross.his shoulders
pair of weathcr>stained saddle>bags, and his
hat was one of those heavy low crowned,
broad-brimmed wool hats usually worn in
those days by orersecrs, county constables,
wagoners, &c. He tramped along by tho
side of the sergeant, with an air of resolution.
and his stolid look added to the iuflexiblo dc,
termination of his whole aspect, so that one
of us remarked, "That fellow has here to
stay"
So much did he impress me that made
inquiry at once about him, aud found he was
from Virginia. l then sought him out and
endeOvored to show him some especial iu-
terest and to let him know he was not with.
out friends in that strange land He was not
at all demonstranve, however, and seemed to
be determined to hcw ou. his own career by
his own earnest energy.
HIS NAME WAS T. j. JACKsoNi
He had right rough time in the academy
at first; for his want Of previous traniug
placed him at disadvantage, aud it was ali
hn do L. g..
We were studying algebra, and maybe
analytical geometry that winter, and Jack.
son was very low in his class standing. All
lights were put out at ttaps;" but Just be-
fore the signal he would pile his CRATE up
with the anthracite coal, and lying prone be-
fore it on the floor, would work away at his
lessons by the glare of the fire, which
scorched his very brain, till late hour in the
night.
This evident determination to succeed not
only aided his own efforts directly, but inn
pressed his instructors in his favor, and he
rose steadily year by year till we used to say,
''If we had TO stay here another year 'Old
jack would be head of the class"
BY the fourth year he attained position
in the first section, but his lower standing
during the early years of the course, and in
drawing, French, and some other studies of a
lighter and more ornamental character,
brought his average below the point to which
he had actually attained by the end of our
course.
In the riding hall I think his suffering must
have been great-he had very rough horse
and when the order came TO sscross stir
rups" and ..trot, ,"Old Jack" swayed about
and struggled hard to =.
- KEEP ON HIS HORSE. -
&c. When ne had advanced to riding at the
heads. leaping the bars, &c, his equi,ation
was truly fearful; but he perseyered through
the most, perilouss trials, and no man in the
riding-house would take more risks than he,
and certainly no one had our good wishes for
success and safety more than he.
believe he went through the very trying
ordeal of the four years at Wes. Point with
out ever having hard word or hard feeling,
for or from cadet or professor. And while.
there were many who seemed to surpass him
in the graess of intellect IN ge1tality. in good,
fellowship, there was no oneof our class who