The Republican journal., 1877-04-26
NUMBER 43.
StonewaQ Jackson.

CHARLOTTE, March %, 1877. There
are few things that this little burgh is
prouder or remarked an ettusive native
to Your correspondent this morning. ethan
that It IS the home Of StoneWall JacksOn'S
widow The love that the people Of the
whole South have for this great man is
something phenomenal. In this spright-
y village it is focused into a hero-w -wOr-
ship that is spiced up by strong laq or
OF local pride. His name is on every lip
his memory in every heart The delib-
crate opinion Of the town is that if Jack
son had lived the Coniaderacv would
have been established. In his grave,
then, more than one love lies buried
Mrs. jackson entered the room While |
was before the portrait. She is a small,
handsome woman, notably young look
ING. Her manner is frank, pleasant and
cordial, ana We were very soon engaged
III an earnest conversation concerning her
distinguished husband.
Mrs. jackson took occasion to correct
a Very general misrepresentation as to her
husbands position when war was about
to be declared. At is said that he was
i'll doubt" she remarked. '.aS to whether
his allegiance was due tO the Union or
his State. | do not think that is true
He deplorcd the collision most earnestly.
He believed that patriotic craftsmanship
might have aVcrtcd it, He loved the
Union as only one who l,ad fought under
the nag could love it. He would have
died to have saved it in its purity and its
just relations. But he believed that the
constitutional rights Of the States had
IaaI, 1ilII nl,l hn n,
as to where his allegiance was due. His
sword belonged to his State. Mr.. jackson
was no strong believer in the system Of
slavery. He would never nave fought to
preserve that institution. He fought for
the sovereignty of the States"
"NothlnG WAS SO certain to him" she
said, 'ls that Il prOtracted struggle would
wear the South out. He believed that we
hal but one hope, and that was to press
the Ftlrr;lls ut every point, blindly, turi-
ouSly, madN. 'We must trighten them,
he used to say He believed that 4 fatal
mistake was made when our people failed
to take advantage of the splendid victory
ut Manassas. | think H. saw prrma-
ncnt triumph just beyond that battle. so
thoroughly was he impressed with the in-
portmncc oi pushing ahead ulI the time,
and in thc face of any obstacle, that he
Was considered Il fanatic. \ separate
command was denied him for q good
While and obtained at last only by the
persistent efforts of Governor LetChcr.
Mr.. Davis, even, was afraid to trust him
With Il separate command. When he did
get it he violated all the accepted rules of
War by refusing To 90 into winter quart
ers and forcing his men to do such heroic
work that thousands of them deserted. 1t
seemed impossible for him to bring the
Government into sympathy with his in
pctuous plan This failure saddcncd his
letters to me. fe was continually appre-
hcnsivt of the effect of the slightest de
lay. He said. "We must give them no
time to think W. must btw4ldcr them
and keep them beWildered. Our fighting
must De sharp, impctuous, continuous.
We can not stand 4 long war.
lie loved General Lee and admired
him beyond measure. lis only fault is
that he Is, too slow he wrote me once.
The diIatory policy Of General Johnston
he considered Il great mistake But he
never lost confidence in the final success
Of the Contedrlary. Al first many of his
officers and men were somewhat distrlSt-
tul Of his Judgment. After he had led
them to half a dozen victories, however,
their confidence in him became bound
less. and then nc never hat 4 fear. His
wonderful tlIumphS in the Valley cam
nalgn ne took rs matter Ut course No
matter what odds We're piled up against
him he never Ialtrrcd; hi, hope never
sank Ills men soon came To bc tatalists