The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-08-01
The Rebel Yell.
THE MUSIC sTONEWAIL JACKSON LOVED
ABOUT HIS DYSPEPSIA.

I have referred to Major Jackson's
ill-health. 1t took the form Of dys-
pepsia, and once during the war he
told me he had suffered with it for
twenty years, and he knew of no
misery which attacked man as it
did, physically, mentally and moral
ly, and was as likely to drive one to
suicide. 1t produced in him that
simplicity of diet which was as con-
spicuous as his simplicity of man
ners. He never was hearty eater,
but often ate of one or two things on
the table pIentifully, eating some
things he did not like, and liking
many things he did not eat. In the
army be rarely accepted an invitation
to dinner, and when he did it was
generally TO oblige his staff: He
once said to me that he believed he
was fonder Of whisky and brandy
than any man in his army; and yet
he never tasted it. His discipline
commenced with himself, and con.
trolled his appetite as firmly as he
did his troops.
In fact and figure Stonewall Jack
son was not striking. Above the
average height, with frame angu
lar, muscular and fleshless, he was in
all his movements, from riding
horse to handling a pen, the most
ungraceful man in the army. His
expression was thoughtful, and gene.
rally clouded with an air of fatigue.
His eye was small, blue and in re-
pose as gentle as a young girls.
With high, broad forehead, small,
sharp nose, thin, pallid lips, deep set
eyes, and dark, rusty beard, he was
not handsome man. His face in
the drawing room or tent, softened
by his sweet smile, was as different
from itself on the battlefield as
little lake in summer noon differs
from the same lake when frozen.
Walking or riding the General was
ungainly; his main object was to 60
over the ground, without regard to
the manner Of his going. His favor.
lite horse was as little like Pegasus
as he was like Apollo; he rode boldly
and we'll, but certainly not with
grace and ease. He was not man
of style. General Lee, on horse
back or off, was the handsomest man
| ever saw. 1t was said Of Wade
Hampton that he looked as knightly
when. mounted as if he had stepped
out from an old canvas, horse and
all. Breckenridge was model of
manly beauty, and Joe Johnston
looked every inch a soldier. None
Of these things can be said of
jackson.
Akin to his dyspepsia, and per
haps as consequence, was his igno
rance Of music. One morning, at
Ashland, he startled young lady
from her propriety by gravely ask
ing her if she ever heard new
piece of music called "Dixie," and as
gravely listening to her while she
sang it. He had heard it thousand
times from the army bands, and yet
it seemed new to him. Judged by
the Shakesperean standard, who
could be more eft for treasons.
stratagems and .spoils?" And vet
there was one kind of music which
always interested and delighted him.
1t was the 'srebel yell'' of his troops.
TO this grand chorus he never failed
to respond. The difference between
the regular 'hurrah'' of the Federal
army and the irregular, wild yell of
the Confederates was as marked as
the difference in their uniforms.
The rebel yell was peculiar mix
ture of sounds, kind of weird shout
jackson was greeted with it when
ever he made his appearance to the
troops, on the march or in battle;
and just as invariably he would seize
his old gray cap from his head in
acknowledgement, and his "Little
Sorrel," knowing his habit, would
break into gallop and never halt
until the shout had ceased. re-
member one night, at tattoo, this
cry broke forth in the camp of the
Stonewall Brigade, and was aiken up
by brigades and divisions, until 1t
rolled over field and wood throughout
the whole corps. The General came
hastily and bareheaded from his
tent, and going up to fence near by,
he leaned upon it and listened in
quiet to the rise, climax and concln.