The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-15

making o full report to Headqu alters. II
was the ohodlent soldier asking. for nstruc-
tions. "Tbat was Stoncwall way
FAREWELL TO LEX. Ssrox.
The mex, spring the ares Of war threw
their lurid glare over Z 40 entire land. Then
II was jackson took ? eual farewell Of Lex.
inglon, never torei' yen until he was brought
back 10 be burie's according to his dying
request. "in the. Valley Of Virginia"
The Cadets were ordered TO the field.
Major Jacks on was selected TO command
them. Az er the passage IL the ordinance
OF secess' on on the 18th OF April. 1861. the
war sp'.flt was ut fcver-heat in virginia.
the s.eady-goipg old town OF Lexington
had suddenly been meiamorphosed into
b'istling military camp. Volunteer compa'
'nes were being organized, aud every pre-
paration being made for horrible war.
But no event OF that memorable period has
left more vivid impression upon my mind
than the departure OF the Cadet battalion
! from the Military institute.
| IL was bright Sabbath morning early In
! May, and a vast concourse OF people had
gathered on Institute Hill 10 see the youth
! ful soldiers start for the war. The bag
gage and camp equipage had been put
into the wagons, the horses hitched in, the
drivers mounted, with whip in band. wait
Ing for the command to pull out. The Cadets
were in line, their cheeks aelow, and their
| eyes sparkling with the expectation OF mill
tary glory awaiting item. Poor boys Little
did they know A. they stood there, in their
bright uniforms and with their bright guns
shining in the morning sunlight, how few
OF them would be left to answer at the last
roll call Of the Army Of Northern Virginia.
As they stood thus, Major jackson, mounted
on an 0rdi1ary-looking horse. rode up. His
face was as calm and unmoved as ever, the
thin lips tightly compressed, and looking
just as he looked at kefnstown and Manas-
sas. Riding up TO the side Of an ell
derly looking gentleman in clerical cloth
standing in front OF the main entrance
TO the Institute, Major Jackson wheeled
| his horse, and, facing his battalion as he
raised his cap, said, .'Let us pray" TIE
venerable DR.. White. pastor OF the Pres
byterian church. then stepped forward, and,
barring his gray locks to the sun, poured
forth feeling prayer. 1t was memorable
scene Just as the cierg, man pronounced
the " amen" Jackson wheeled his horse,
and in short, crisp manner gave the COM
mand, Forward, march," Waving a
silent adieu TO the assembled crowd, be
rode of at the head OF the column. That
was the last time his gaze ever fell upon the
town OF Lexington.
WESTERN vIEGINIAN.
His subsequent history is known 10 all.
No hero in the annals OF war ever won
more enduring fame than Slonewall jack
son. His fame is the common heritage OF
Americans. Tie Federal soldier takes as
much pride in recounting bls valorous
deeds as does the CoufedeIat ate fOOt-clvalry-
man who followed him on the Ions and
wearisome march. We can point with just
pride TO the fact that he was native West
ern Virginlan-
For Oft when whie-haircd erlnd'ires TELL
! OF bloody Struggle pat AMI gone.
| The Children at their knees shall hear
| How Jackson I'D his columns on.
G.. II. NJ.
| CIOyERLICK, W, VA, February 1G. 1880.