Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-06-26
MIscELlAHE GUS.
sToNEWALL JACKSON.
His Appearance in His Tent-A Con-
fiot of Emotions Subdued.

Hon. Alex. r. BoteIer in Philadelphin Tines.l
It was my fortune afterward to serve upon
his staff, to share his tent, to be by his side
in some of his severest battles. and to see
him under various circumstances of absorb
ing interest when the material elements of
his nature were fully aroused-whep, as the
men used to say, he had Ibis war look on"
aud the "revel Of death" was as its height
around him but his appearance on those oc,
casions, though sufficiently striking TO be dis.
tinctly remembered, never impressed me as it
did that night. Then, indeed, he looked
every inch the soldier that he was Pres
emily, after striding several times up and
down the room as if to repress feelings that
were struggling for utterance, he stopped
before me and said, in his quick, scntentious
way-for among his other Spartan-lik PEI
cuiiarities, it was "Stonewall Jackson's way"
to be curt and laconic in conversation. though
never discourteous-"Sa Sacrifices f! Have /
not made them? What is my life here but
a daily sacrifce2 War has no charms for
me I've seen too many of its horrors Pre-
ferment has no allurements to compensate
me for its trials and temptations. My only
ambition is to be useful. The hope of being
seryiceable as q soldier brought me here. /
gave up the peaceful pursuits of congenial
occupation for the cares, discomforts, and
responsibilities of the camp. | left very
happy home, colonel, at the call of duty, and
duty now, not only permits, but commands
me to return to it. Not that | expect to
stay there No tina. blessing is not allowed
to any of US now, in the sad times of strife
and suffering. l shall, of course, seek other
opportunities to serve our State. [ will serve
her anywhere, aud in any way, in which /
am permitted to do it with effect even if
it be rs a private in the ranks. Sacrifices,
do you say, colonel? l sacrifice my position
in the army here for tho sake of the service
And you know not what sacrifice it is for
me to leave my old command, now that l
have learned to love them and that know
how much they are attached to me - "Then
(to use the words of the best of his biogra.
pher in describing this scenc), then, travers-
ing the floor with rapid strides, he burst into
an impetuous torrent of speech, in which he
detailed his comprehensive projects with
Napoleouic FIRE and breadth Of view, his OBJ
stacles created by the reluctance and incom-
potency of some with whom he was required
to Cooperate, the hardships and heroic con-
due. of his troops, the brilliant success with
which Providence had crowned his FIRST steps
toward the completion of his plans, aud the
cruel disappointment that had dashed the
fruit of all his labors." . ,
''This order of Mr.. Benjamin" ," said he,
taking it up from the table, "reads /: Our
neaos indicates fiat there is a mopenrcnt max
ing TO cut n1 Loring's command. Orange,
that the secretary should have news Of moves
ments in this region, which 1 can hear noth>
ing Of with my scouts constantly in the
camps of the enemy and Ashby's cavalry on
the alert! If he has derived his informs>
tion from the officers from Romney, on fur
Tough in Richmond, why were they away
from their post of duty when it was sup
posed to be in Danger? Blu. there was no
danger. l took proper precautions against
that before I left Loring; and when wrote
to you for the telegraph wire it was to
make his communication with me moro per-
feet, SO that might go to his assistance at
a moments warning. Yet, after all these
precautions-after all our trouble-bere
comes this command from the secretary to
surrender what VIC have now; to give it all
up again to the enemy, who are thus vir=
tually invited to reoccupy the counties of
Hampshire and Morgan, aud renew their
cruel work Of desolation. All if Mr.. Ben,
iamin could have been with US on our march
through those counties and have seen for
himself the bIackened chimnies along the
road, which marked the sites of so many
once happy homes, now utterly destroyed If
he could have seen the fenceless and desola-
ted fields of the ruined farmers, their slaugh-
tered cattle, their helpless wives and half
starved little children, he surely would not
have had the heart to consent to such cruel,
uncalled.for and disgraceful abandonment of
those people. But there is no help for Il
now. The next news that comes from Rom
ney will be of its reoccupstion by the enemy,
who will then be in position to eo-opefate
effectively with Banks in his Contemplated
invasion of the Valley. When the spriag
campaign opens the movement made in this
direction will be on both Hanks as well as
from the front. They want this VALLEY, and
if the Valley is lost; Virginia is lost" =
Such, substantially, we're his remarks as
he continued to traverse the room until
finally. after he had thus given full vent to
his feelings and resumed his seat, / reminded
him that it was growing late; asd, fhatHas
I would have to leave Winchester by day
light on my return to Richmond, hoped
he would not let me go back utterly disap-s
pointea in the result of my interview--that
If ba you'd consent to remain in command
of the Valley district. L would insure him
against any further interference from the
Secretary of War, that would do every
thing in my power to have his force IN