Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-07-21

and ruin under a general who they
were told was a religious fanatic. In
this semi-insurrection were officers
who afterwards followed jackson
with unfaltering devotion and
faith, and soldiers who soon
learned to believe him in-
vincible and heaven-led, and shout
ed themselves hoarse whenever he
rode along the line Unrestrained
criticism and invective were particu-
larly active at the headquarters of
General Loring, and one or more
officers lit was said at the time spe-
cial committee) went to Richmond
and arraigned General Jackson be~
fore the war department. General
jackson knew of the feeling against
him, but made no explanations, and
when one of his officers was about to
go to Richmond to counterfeit the
effect of the Loring delegation, the
general peremptorily forbade it and
all communication with the war de-
partment on the subject. AS a SOL
dier, he reasonably supposed that if
the report made to the president had
any effect, he would be notified and
called upon to explain his action and
the disposition of his command. But
in this he was mistaken. Without
consulting General Johnston or
General jackson, the secretary Of
war, on the 3lst of January, tele-
graphed to the latter to order Gen
eral Loring back to Winchester This
was the crucial test of Jackson S
character [ have said that only
success in the Bath campaign
saved him. But it had not saved
him from this direct insult. At
this moment General Jackson
future depended upon speedy ac~
ton. If he submitted without pro-
test his prestige and influence were
gone and his future usefulness ques ,
tionable. But he did not hesitate
for moment. He obeyed the order
of the secretary of war and then, on
the same day, resigned his commits
sion in the army. He also, the same
day, notified General Johnston and
Governor Letcher of his action and
gave his reasons for it. In his letter
| to Governor Letcher, he said:
GAS single order like that of the
secretary of war may destroy the en-
tire fruits of a campaign, can not
reasonably expect, If my operations
are thus to be interfered with, to be
of much service in the field. A sense
of duty brought me here and has
thus far kept me. If I have ever
acquired, through the blessings of
Providence, any influence over
troops, this undoing of work by the
secretary may greatly diminish that
influence. I regard this recent ex>
petition as great success. "
General Jackson's resignation
startled the Valley like clap of
thunder. The excitement became
intense in the army and out of it.
The men of the Stonewall brigade
burst their dignifed reserve aud
swore worse than the army in
Flaunders. Men of the different
commands, even when confined in
the guard-house, came to blows
in discussing the situation until sep
arate quarters was provided for Their
confinement. The condition of affairs
was indescribably critical and alarm
ing. The excitement invaded the
parlors of Winchester, although the
feeling was all on one side. Bright
eyes flashed fire, little fists were
shaken in wrath, while prominent
citizents sent hurried letters tc
Richmond, declaring that the accept
ance of General Jackson's resigna-
ton would create panic through.
out the valley. General Johnston
retained General Jacksons letter O.
resignation for a few days. Laying
aside all formality and addressing
him as my dear friend" he wrote
Let me beg you to reconcidel
this matter. Under ordinary Cir
cumstances due sense of one
dignity, as we'll as care for profes
sional character and official rights
would demand such a course a
yours. But the character of tn
war, the great energy exhibited b,
the Government of the Unite'
States, the danger in which on
very existence as an Independent
people lies, require sacrifices iron
us all who have been educated a
soldiers. [ received my information
of the order of which you hav
: such cause to complain from you
, letter. Is not that as great an off
| cial wrong to me as the order itself
Il II I regard you as necessar
J to the service of your country i
} your present position
} Governor Letcher-"H Honest John
-swore a miscellaneous assortmen
{ of oaths when he heard that hi
general--for he always regarde
l General jackson as under his specis
5 care-was about to quit the arm,
3 General Jackson was persuaded 6
length and he gave his consent
3 the withdrawal of his resignation
5 The Plead, brightest and nearly los
1 was saved to that constellation
l whose martial splendor will cast il
light for ages over the annals of th
g Army of Northern Virginia. In h
t letter to Governor Letcher, allowin
3 his RESIGNATION to be withdrawn