Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-04-28
srONEWALL JACKSON.
. VISIT TO HIS WIDOW AT HOME.

Especial corresp spondence Phil'a Times.l
! CHARLOTTE, March 22.-"There are
few things that this little burgh Is
prouder of" remarked an etfusiye native
to your correspondent this morning,
than that it is the home OF Stonewail
Jacksous widow" The love that the
people of the whole South have for this
great man is something phenomenal.
In this sprighily village it is focused
into hero worship that is spiced up by
a strong flavor of local pride. His name
is on every lip-his memory in every
heart. The deliberate opinion OF the
town is that if Jacksons had lived the
Confederacy would have been establish
ed. In his grave, then, more than one
love lies buried.
| had little difficulty in finding Mrs.
Jackson. "She is at de Instertewt,
suggested a tiny mannikiu who was
Stunning himself on the corner, supple
menting his suggestion with course OF
directions that soon brought me into
the old fashioned porch of the Presby-
trrian school-house l was ushered into
Mrs. Jacksons sitting-room, and inform
ed that the lady would soon be III. l
found pleasant occupation in studying
a portrait of the dead General tha. hung
above the mantel. 1t was totally dif-
terent from the pictures | had seen else
where. That sternuess and tlxedness
| of exnressiou that we have been accuS
toned to see was gone. The face was
kindly and tender. The lips were half
unclosed with a smile the eyes were
gentle and engaging; the brow calm
and uncloudrd. As looked at 1t l felt
that l was studying a new side OF the
great mans life. This was the home
look of that hero who, so stern aud
stubborn upon the battle field that he
was call fanatic, was yet full OF
flowing and obliging humanity.
Mrs. Jackson entered the room while
| was before the portrait. She Is a
small, handsome woman, notably young
looking. Her manner is frank, pleas
ant, aud cordial, we were very soon Ell
gagged in an earnest conversation con-
cerning her distinguished husband.
"You must know that my husband
fell very much in love with Mexico dur
ing his campaigns there, and had there
been any sort of assurance OF stable
government in tina. country lie would
certainly have made it his home. In
that event he might have had no part
in the late struggle between the States
THE OUTBREAK OF TuE WAR.
Mrs. Jackson took occasion to cor
rect very general misrepresentation as
to her husbands position when war was
about to be declared. sit is said he
was in. doubt" she remarked, Gas to
whether his allegiance was due to the
Union or his State. | do not think
that is true. lie deplored the collision
mos, earnestly. lie believed that pat
riolic craftsmanship might have ayerted
it. He loved the Union as only one
who had fought under the flag could
love it. He wonld have died TO have
saved it in its purity and just relations.
But he believed that the constitutional
rights of the States had been invaded,
AID he never had doubt as to where
his allegiance was due, His sword be-
loneel TO his State He shuddered at
the approach of war. He prayed fer
v.nlly and persis,ently that an smlca-
bic adjustment might be reached. But
at the very first call he placed himself
at the head of his Cadets and marched
10 Harper's Ferry, where ne witnessed
the hanging of Jdhu Brown. From
that day until his death he was never
out of service single hour. lie would
never take a furlough. Dir. jackson
was no strong believer in the system of
slavery. He would never have fought
to preserve that institution. lie fought
tor the sovereignty Of the States.
l found the little lady in front ct me,
now thoroughly animated, fully inn
pressed with the belief that, ii Gen.
jackson had lived, or il his policy had
been vigorously pursued the war might
have had diffcrtut ending. !