River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-11-05
ST0NEVALL JACKSON AT JFEST
POINT

An old friend and comrade OF Stone.
wall jackson writes to Ia Richmond
Wig: In June, 1912, A. p. Hill, Geo.
Il. Pickett, B. D Fry, and the writer
having pasred our first week at the mill
tary academy, were standing together on
the south side of the old South barracA :
at West Point, when a cadet-sergeant
came by us conducting a newly arrived
cadet to his quarters. lie was apparent
~ about 20 years Of age, &c; was well
grown; his figure was angular and
clumsy; bis gait was awkward. lie was
clad in old-fashioned Virginia homespun
WOODEN cloth; he bore across his shoulders
pair Of weather-stained saddlc-bags.
and his hat was one Of those heavy, low.
crowned, broad. brimmed wool hats usual.
ly worn in those days by overseers. coun.
ty constables, wagoners, &c. lie tramp
ed along by the side of the sergeant with
an air Of resolution, and his stolid look
added to the inhexible determination Of
his whole aspect, so that one Of us re-
marked, That fellow has come here TO
stay" Ills name was Thomas j. Jack
son.
He had a rough time in fhe academy at
first. for his want Of previous training
placed him at disadvantage, and it was
all he could do TO pass his first examina-
ton. We were studying algebra, and
may be analytical geometry, that winter,
and Jackson was very low in his class
standing. All lights were put out a,
TAPS" just before the signal he would
pile up his CRATE with anthracite coal,
and, lying prone before it on the floor.
would work away at his lessons by the
glare CT 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
impressed his instructors in his favor.
and he rose steadily year by year till we
used TO say, "If we had to stay here an
other year odd jack would be at the
head OF the class"
BY the fourth year he attained posi-.
ton in the first section, but his lower
standing during the early years in the
course, and in drawing, French, and some
other studies Of lighter and more orn :
mental character, brought his average
below the point to which he had actually
attained by the end Of the course.
In the riding hall think his suffering
must have been great. lie had a very
rough horse, ana when the order came
TO ''cross stirrups" and "trot," 'old
Jack" swayed abou. and struggled har
to keep his horse. When we had ad.
vanced to riding at the heads, leaping the
bars, &c, his equitation was truly fearful.
but he persevcred through the most per
lions trinls, 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 tho very try.
ing ordeal Of years at West Point without
having hard word or a hard feeling foi
or from cadet or professor. And while
there were many who seemed to surpas,
him in the graces Of intellect. in geniality
and in good fellowship, there was no one
OF our class who more absolutely possess
ed the respect and confidence Of all thar
he did.
Gen. John Morgan, H. Confcderat,
guerilla, was supposed 10 have been killed
in East Tennessee in 1864. bat ia now re
| ported that he survived the wound thei
received, and under the name Of Johr
Pendlcton has been residing for severa
years at Upper Cascade, IN Oregon. will
his mother, where he died last month.
Wood or fabrics sat rated with
strong solution Of tungsiate Of soda, or
saturated solution Of borax in boilinj
water, and dried, can never be made L
burn with A fame,