Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-06-23
Annals of the War.

nails Of the War, and among them not the
least entertaining is paper by Col. Alex. X.
/ Boteler giving some unwritten history of the
Resignation rendered by Stonewall Jackson,
including letters which have not heretofore
seen the light, among them the following
WINcnEsrER, February D. 1862.
My DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 81 inst.
has been received, and am much obliged to
you for your kindness
In regard TO my resignation, 10 which you re-
( fer. hold to the opinion have long advocat-
cd which is. that man should be in that po-
] sition where he is most useful and don't see
/ how | can be Of any service in the field so long
as the principle which has been applied to me,
Of undoing at the War Department what is
done in the field is adhered to. | trust you
/ will succeed in securing the engineer officer ;
/ for whoever has command Of this district will
need Linn. Very truly, your friend,
T. J. JACKSON.
Hon. Alex R. Boteler.
a RECONSIDERATION URGED.
Meanwhile the Governor had prepared let
/ ter to Jackson, urging him to reconsider his
/ determination, which he asked me 70 be the
/ bearer Of. requesting me, at the same time, to
addmypersoua solicitations 10 what he himself
/ had written. Willing to take any trouble to
avert what considered would be an irrepar-
able calamity to Virginia, I did not hesitate to
/ comply with his request. Accordingly, | left
/ Richmond next morning and arrived at Win
chester in tie afternoon Of the day following,
when los, bat little time in calling at head
quarters. which were then at the residence Of
/ Col. l.. T. Moore, in tie suburbs of the city.
Although in my social intercourse with
jackson, never failed TO find him one Of the
gentlest, kindest, and most considerate OF men,
he appeared to be more so than usual when we
met that evening; which was, doubtless, to
be attributed 20 the presence Of his charming
and devoted wife who had recently arrived on
visit to him. As she sat sewing by his side
tot too busy with the needle to take part IN
/ the conversation, he seemed to be so perfectly
happy that, when ! had delivered the Cover
nor's etter-which he carefully read and quiet
" put in lis pocket felt reluctant 10 dis
turb the tenor Of his domestic tranquility-his
--swcet oblivion Of the cares Of day,
by withdrawing bis attention to the business
that bal taken me to Winchester But my
time was limited, as my duties in Richmond
made it necessary for me 10 return there with
ont delay and after pleasant half hour Of
/ general conversation, | was obliged to ask
him when he could conveniently give me au
+ interview in regard to the Governors COM
munication.
4 tier tea, colonel" said be, latter tea. i
will soon be ready, and you must stay, Of
course, and take your tea with us"
Thanking him for the invitation, ] said that
/ had the best possible reason for declining it.,
aud that | was very sure Mrs. jackson and
himself would appreciate my apology, when
told them that my own good wife, whom
had teegraphed, in advance, to meet me al,
! Winchester. had arrived in town and that
had not seen her for several months, except
for few minutes that morning But, Cen
eral. ! added, IN be back after tea, at any
/ hour you will designate"
Then let it be at eight o'clock, he replied
"and III give orders that we must not be in
terrupted."
TALK WITH THE CESERAL.
Returning punctually at the appointed time,
/ 7 found him alone and we were soon engaged
| in an earnest conference upon the subject Of
my mission. While it is, Of course, impossible
/ for me now after lapse Of fifteen years, to
/ remember exactly all that either Of US said,
the occasion was 50 interesting aud the i'm
preston made upon me so profound that re-
/ tain distinct recollection Of the scope aud
substance Of our conversation, and also some
I few Of its salient points VSiSsinis cer6's.-
/ The General began by referring TO
( the letter ho bad received that evening from
| Governor Letcher, whom be spoke Of in az
/ fectionate terms, as an "cver kind and con-
siderate friend" who bad favored bin with
many manifestations Of confidence and regard
/ for which he was very grateful. lie said that
/ it would give him great pleasure to comply
/ with the Governors request % lCci.i h.s r"-lg.
nation if he could 10 so consistently with bis
sense Of duty; that be deeply regretted the
necessity which compelled him TO retire from
the army at a time when he had hoped, with
/ Gods blessing, TO be Of service to the State,
/ but that there was no alternative.
/ Il must resign" said he, "for my rule Of
/ life will not allow me TO hold n position where
/ am no longer useful and / am no longer
/ useful here when what do in the field is un-
/ done by the Secretary Of War. Mr. Benjamin
is my official superior, aud wish to say no
/ thing against him but his policy if persisted
/ in, will ruin US all" lie spoke Of the ability
/ aud requirements Of tho Secretary. Bat. %
said he. there are some things which lie bas
vet 10 learn t. make a successful Secretary Of
War. and be should be taught a lesson without
delay lie ought to be made 90 understand at
once that be cannot manage the details Of a
campaign sitting at bis desk three hundred
miles away from the feld Of operations; that
be cannot properly regulate army movements
without consulting their commanding gene
rails without learning something Of their
plans and prospects Of the effective force and
1 position Of the enemy, and Of tie physical
/ features Of the surrounding country"
told him in reply that, while fully concur
ring in his opinion as 10 Mr. Benpmlns III
/ timed order aud as 10 the DISASTROUS consequen-
/ ccs of such interference in the future, | could
not agree with him 10 the conclusions lie had
come 20 concerning himsclf-that saw % ne
ccssity for him 10 emphasize bis protest against
the policy Of The Secretary's order by leaving
tie army, as ! was very sure, from @ha, had
seen and heard upon the subject, before left
Richmond. that Mr. benjamin would not ven
ture again to meddie with the movements Of
, his command the i'll effects Of which, by n
mere civilian, were so apparent TO himself no
/ less than others that the lesson bad a.
ready learned would not be forgotten that
though the mischief consequent upon ihe order
/ in question could not then be cOunteracted. II
/ could and wouid be made immeusely greater
+ If be should abandon the service thatw look
ed mainly 70 bin ior tie protection of tue VAL
lev, aud that, while al were making sacrifices
il tie war, well knew he would not permit
L.. 10 liz. LL-l.r.