The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-26
a letter from Hrs. StGnewsEf Jack


SCN.
10 the Editor of the Southern Home:
My Dear Sir,-About two weeks ago an
article appeared in the Atlanta ConStitW-
tionQlist giving an account Of an interview
with me by reporter OF the Philadelphia
Times, and the Times itself published a
description of the same interview, which
was quite different, being considerably
modified and in better taste; but both arti-
cles were written in way that was exceed
ingly notifying TO me, and were full of
Misrepresentation. So great is my shrink
ing from publicity that my first impulse
was to let it die natural death, consolng
myself with the thought that those who
know ME would understand how much OF
it to believe. But have since received
from friends letters Of advice and kindly
warning, saying it is a duty l owe
to myself to make 4 candid and firm
yindication OF these misrepresentation,
specially where / am reported as making
disparaging remarks and 1invidious COM
parsons between my husband and other
Confederate officers. A few weeks since
the editor of the Philadelphia Times So
licited me to write some sketches for his
paper, whose columns he had thrown open
to southern writer's for contributions to
~ w
raj offer and the advantage the South might
gain from If, some OF my friends urged me
to engage in the work. 1t has long been
my intention to write out my personal re-
collections Of my husbands life for the sake
Of his child, and after full consultation with
iudicious friends it was decided that there
could be no impropriety in furnishing a
suitable sketch to the Times. However,
my promise was only conditional one
that if succeeded in doing the work salts
factorily to myself and friends then only
would consent to its publication.
The Times reporter came unexpectedly
to me, sought an interview, and being a
southern man of kind and pleasant man.
ners. and protesting to have come for the
purpose OF encouraging and assisting me in
the selection Of popular items, was incau-
tiously led into answering too freely the
multitude OF questions with which was
piled, L hadn't the most distant idea that
I was talking for the public, although /
must do him the justice to say he told me
he intended publishing an account OF the
interview. Still his kindness and gentle
manly manners disarmed me Of all fear
that he would say anything inappropriate.
I told HIM expressly that did not intend
to publish a deprecatory word OF any other
public officer, that my husband was model
Of prudence, and never disparaged those
even OF whose policy he disapproved, and
it would be extremely indelicate for me to
do so. did say that General Jackson be-
lieved in bold, swift, untiring action; for
be felt that the South could afford no delay;
but it was no reflection upon others to say
this, and the expression that he wanted to
press on, sblindly, furiously, madly,"
never came from my lips, and such words
are totally at variance with his clear-sighted,
calm, and resofute mode OF action. am also
represented as s. being fully impressed with
the belief that IL General Jackson had lived,
or il his policy had been vigorously pur-
sued, the war might have had differ
ent ending" The gentleman certainly for
got that this expression Of opinion came
from himself, and my reply was that the
same remark was very frequently made to
me by others. No man was ever more free
from petty jealousy and detraction OF his fel-
low-of6cers, or more submissive to superior
authority, than General Jackson was; and
even a shadow OF an imputation Of this
kind would be great injustice to his un-
selfish, patriotic spirit and consistent Chris
tian character, and certainly would be the
last person to make such an impression or
draw an unfavorable comparison between
him and our noble Generals Lee and.
Johnston, or any other brave Confederate
officer. ,
The discussion in the article OF my pri-
vate affairs reveals an indelicacy that is too
painful for me to dwell upon, but would
fain throw the veil OF charity over the whole
publication, which was clothed in language
entirely different from my own, believing
the reporters zeal in the interest OF the
Times carried him beyond his own discre-
ton, and even betrayed him to publish
,cithoaft my c,lo,slelge Of, consent a letter to
my y0nng daughter, which was shown him
simply as specimen OF ithesimpertinences
OF the kind to which we had been sub
iected. 2 8,ii., y Il. gs ss In
respectfully request that all those news
papers which copied tho reporters account
OF his interview with me will do me the
justice to publish mine. si RI ESsa
Yours truly, $3.50 sf ANN JACKSON.