Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-27
stonewau jackson, the Professor.


My first recollection of Stonewall Jackson Is
when was a college boy at Lexington, Va,
In the fall OF 1850 am not able to say whether
It was the peculiar carriage OF the stiff, mill
tary-looking institute professor, who daily
passed the college grounds that was of chief
interest to the students of washington college,
or whether the stories told of daring and reck-
less courage in his early military life invested
him with halo OF romance and made him an
object Of hero.w orShip In their youthful minds
Whatever the cause the solid tramp of Major
jackson on the plank walk would be the signal
to stop all games of mtrth that may have been
In progress on the college campus until he had
passed. The stiff, stOltd-looking man would
pass on, turning his head neither to the right
nor left, but single touch of his cap was the
silent recognition given Of the deferent1al re-
spect shown by the boys
"Old jack" as he was Familiarity called by
cadets and students, was so plain in manner
and attire there was so little effort at show his
feet were so large and his arms and hands fast
ened to his body In such an awkward shape,
a professor. They feared him In the lecture
room, they paid the StricteSt Difference to him
on parade but In showing stranger the sights
about the institute cadet was never known to
point out "Old Jack" as one Of the ornaments of
the institution. He was more popular with the
college students, who did not have the same
reasons for fearing the austerity Of his manner,
but who knew him as the Son1n-law Of their
college president, the Rev. George Junk1n.
MY first meeting with General Jackson in the
social circle was one evening when he called to
never forget the impression his manner and APP
pearance made upon me. Boy as was, looked
upon him with reverential awe. had heard
the stories OF his struggles in early life; of how
he had walked from his house in Lewis county
to washington to receive his appointment as a
cadet to West Point; OF his being ILL prepared
and the difficulty he had in keeping up with
his classes; and then l had heard OF his bril-
liant career In Mexico, OF his mounting the
walls OF CherubuSco with the American flag in
bis hands; and here now was the hero of my
youthful enthusiasm before me. He was so Diff
ferent from what thought hero ought to bel
There was so little animation, no grace, no en-
thuS1aSm. All was stiffness, and aWKwardneSs
He sat perfectly erect, his back touching the
back OF the chair nowhere; the large hands
were spread out, one on each knee, while the
to the leg the angle seeming to have been de-
termtned with mathematical precision,) occu-
pie an unwarranted space. The figure recalled
to my bOyish mind what l had once Seen-a
rude Egyptian carved figure intended to repre-
sent one of the Pharaohs
But when the conversation commenced lost
sight OF the awkward-looking figure. even
lost the reverential awe which had so deeply
Impressed me at first. l only saw the mild
soft, melodious voice-speaking, it is true, In
short, crisp sentences-but withal as mild and
winning as woman'S then understood how
1t was that Major jackson could be a hero.
Underlying that rough, unc0mely exterior was
q vein OF the most exquisite sentiment. In the
soul OF the man was that magnetism which at
tracted and that power which controlled and
made him the master of his fellow-men. In
after days, when 1 saw the uplifting of his
dusty cap excite the widest enthusiasm among
his veteran legiens, knew whence the power
emanated