Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-06-23
EVERY lxcu A SOLDIER

under various circumstances OF auSOFoiiS Az
terest. when the martial elements Of bis nature
were fully aroused-when, as the men used 10
say. he had "his war look on, and the "rovel
of death was at its height around him; but
bis appearance on those occasions, though SUI
Gcientiy striking to be distinctly remembered,
never impressed me as it did that night Then,
indeed he looked every inch the soldier that ho
was Presently after strding several times
up aud down the room as il 10 repress feelings
that were struggling for utterance, he stopped
before me and said, in his quick, sententious
way-for, among his other spaftan-like pecu-
liariiies. it was 81, aewall Jacksons way
10 be curt and lacouic 10 conversation, though
never discourtcous-" Sacrifices Have not
made them Wha, is my life here but daily
sacrifice War has no charms for me; Two
seen too many Of its horrors! Preierment has
no alluremeuts 10 compensate me for It's trials
and temptations My only ambition is 10 DO
useful The hope Of being sorvoeable as
soldier brought me here. gave up tie peace
ful pursuits Of a congonial occupation for tho
cares. discomfJr,s, and responsibilities Of the
camp. left very happy home, colonel, at
the call of duty, and duty now, not only per-
mits. but commands me % return 10 IL. Not
that expect to stay there. MOI that blessing
is not allowed to any Of US now, in these sad
times Of strife aud suffering. | shall, of
course, seek other opportunities TO serve our
State will serve her anywhere, and in any
way, in which am permitted TO do II with
effect even il il be as private in the ranks.
Sacrifices, DO you say, colonel? sacrifice nay
position in the army here for the sake OF tho
service And You know not what sacrifice
il is for me 10 leave my old command now
that have learned TO love them aud that
know how much they are attached 10 mel'-
Then 10 use the words Of the best OF his biog
raphers in describing this scene,l then, traver-
sing the floor with rapid strides. he burst into
an impetuous torrent Of speech in which ho
detailed bis comprehensive projects with Ma
poconic tire and breadth of view, his obsta-
clcs created by the reluctance aud Incompetent
cy of some with whom he was required TO
cooperate. the hardslips aud heroic conduct
Of bis troops, the brilliant success with which
Providence bad crowned his FIRST steps toward
the completion Of his plans, and the cruel dis
appointment that had dashed the fruit Of oil
his aboTs"
an INDIGNANT oUTnURsr.
"This order Of Mr.. Benjamin" said he, taxi
ing il up from the table, reads: Our ners
indicates Mct there Is a Increment making 10
cm Of L0riBg's command. StTange, that tic
Secretary should have news Of movements in
this region, which can hear nothing at all Of
with my scouts constantly in the camps Of tho
enemy and Ashbys cavalry always on the a
lert II he has derived his information from
the officers from Romney, on furough 10 Rich
mond, why were they away from their post Of
duty when it was supposed TO be in danger D
But there was no danger | took proper pre-
cautions against that before left Loring and
when | wrote TO you for the telegraph wire ID
was to make his communication with mo moro
perfect, so that might 90 to his assistance at
a moments warning. Yet, after all these pre-
cautions-alter all our troublo-hore comes
this command from the Secretary 20 surrender
what we have now; 10 give it all up again 10
the enemy who are thus virtually invited 10
reocupy the counties Of Hampshire and Nor
gan. and renew their cruel work Of desoation.
Al il Mr. Benjamin could have been with US
on our march through those counties and have
seen for himself the blackened Chimnies along
the roads, which marked the sites Of so many
once happy homes, now utterly destroyed II
be could have seen the fenceless and dcsolated
fields Of the ruined farmers, their slaughtered
cattle, their helpless wives dnd halfstarvod lit
tic children he surely would not have bad tho
heart 10 consent 10 such a cruel, uncalled-for,
and disgraceful Abandonment Of those people.
But there is no help for it now. The next
news that comes from Romney will be Of its
rsoccupation by the enemy, who will then be
IN position tO cooperate effectively with
Banks in his contemplated invasion oi tho
Valley When tie Spring campaign opens
the movement made in this direction will by
on both laoks as we'll as from the front They
want this Valley, aud il lho Valleys lost, Yir-
ginia is lost -
Such, substantially, were his remarks as bo
continued 10 traverse the room until finally,
after he hal thus given foil vent 10 his feelings
and resumed his seat, reminded him that il
was growing late and, that as | would bayo
10 leave Winchester by daylight on my return
10 Richmond, hoped he would not lee mo 90
back utterly disappointed 10 the result Of my
interyiew-that If he would consent 70 remain
in command Of the Valley district. would in
sure him against any further interference from
the Secretary Of War that | would do every
thing IN my power 20 have bis force increased,
and the disaGectcd portion Of bis troops re-
placed by those which would be more reliable
and effective. I told him then Of the arrange
meut which the Governor bad made 10 have
no action taken for the present Oh bis ressna-
tion. at this be exclaimed:
" Why has the Governor inteffercd between
me and my duty"
" Because" said !, " il was bis duty 10 do
so bis duty to you a. well IS 70 the Safe ;
for you know bo il one Of your best friends aud
a true Vrginan And, General, il Is Virgin
ia herself, through the Governor, her highest
constituted authority, who asks You 10 contin-
ue 10 her service. It is our old mother State
who makes the appeal She has been rudely
smitten on the cheek, and forced 70 summon
her sons TO stand by aud defend Der from fur
ther insult aud injury. win yOu turn a deaf
ear 70 her solicitations"
After appealing 70 him In this way for somo
time 10 allow the Governor TO withdraw bis
resignation, I At last got up 10 90 and when
took his hand to bid him good-by, said
Well, what message am tO take back 10
our good friend, the Governor. il answer ~ bis
lettsrY
TIE sOrEE sECosD THOUGHT.
he was silent for some seconds, and 7 saw
that there was o conflict Of feelings within him,
but finally, ruling his spirit and thus proving
himself to be mightier " than be that takeih a
city" he slowly replied, pauSing between al
most every word
" Tell him-tbat--heTI have to do-wha,
be thinks is best-for the State"
and thus it was that Stonewall Jackson
consented 70 remain 10 the army to make
his Valley march to fame.