Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-06-21
mis- IsCELLANEoUS,
sToNRWALL JAOKsON,S WAY.

n BALTIMORE correspondent. of tho
S3S New York World furnishes the inCor.
nation annexed below:
HStonowaIl Jaokson's Way" was written
at Oakland, Allegheny county. Md. almost
within hearing of the guns at Antictam,-
About ten days after that baltic it first an
pcared in print in tho columns of the Rnlti,
moro Republican (by tho author) headed
'found on tho body of n Sergeant Of the
Old Stoncwall Brigade, killed at Wipches>
ter" The original copy had dropped from
MS pocket. at Antietam. he being then a
special correspondent Of Northern journal.
Taken from the Republican, the song was
at once set to music, and published simul.
tAneously by two music dealers in Baltimore.
ou: with different airs. Tho one to which
1t was popnla2ly sung throughout Virginia,
and especially in the Confederate army in
the valley, was composed by young Fredcr>
lex Bcnicc, remarkable musical pepius.
whose early death was not cplv n nrivotc
but public loss. THE sympathiZers" Of
Baltimore caught tho tune ns csgerlv as
they had that of "My Maryland;" but their
Enthusiasm met with n rude check NJ. the
hands of the reigning provost marshal. who
seized aud burned the sheets, DESTROYED tho
plates, aud cauterized tho wound inflicted
upon loyal hearts by applying red>hot oath
OF allegiance to several of the music sellers
of the city.
In every printed collection of the poems
and songs OF the war this one has boen
awarded prominent place, and almost
every compiler has sought for information
concerning its origin and authorship. A.
one time the title of the song was used as a
handy newspaper phrase to describe tho
characteristic exploits of its hero; and.
''Stonowoll Jacksou's Way" appeared at the
head OF reports aud editorials in tho Sonth,
ern pTess.
AS an example Of tho interest it aroused,
We may mention tha. DR.. Oliver Wendell
Holmes, in his lively lecture on tho "Sopps
Of the War;" spoke of "StonewaIl ,Jackson' "a
Way" as by far the best song that had come
from the rebol side. Another writer cites II
as a foe example Of the true and stirrinp
ballad, comparing it with Whittier's well
known ''Barbars Frietchie" A leadipc
New ork. journal once characterized it "a
ia ballad that will live as long as the war il
reDembered;" and Putnon,'s lEouthh hos
twice pointed to it as genuine inspiration.
Nor has its tame been confined 10 this coun.
|. fry. a literary Doblemsn of England wrote
to an American poet, requesting him to pro-
cure II possible an autograph copy of the
'"O oOhR nau aTeaCY gone through
"the lines" 1t was reprinted in Richmond
and gaiiy sung by every woman aud child in
tho Valley of Virginia, especially by. the
admirers of Gen. Jeb Stuart, with whom i.
was iAvorite ditty. Once tho author in
passing alone and by night from General
Breckinridge's army Chen lying near Wood,
stock) to Richmond, was arrested at Cor
donsvil!e as a Federal spy, and while guard
ed by two sentries in the public room of an
inn, was recognized by stranger as sstho
man who wrote 'Stonewall Jackson's Way"
In every place it has appesred anony-
naously except in Miss Mason's compilation,
published in Baltimore; by her it is erro-
neOusly ascribed to one "De Riviere." OF
course, its text, BY frequent re>printing, has
suffered much damage at the hands of the
printers proof readers. With the exception
of the original draft in the old Republican,
and copy furnished long afterwards by the
New York Round Table, the ono here given
is the only correct copy ever printed.
In Virginia the authorship has commonly
/ been attributed to very uncertain "lady.'