Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-05-03
MlscELIAAEous S.
MI. Davis on Sidney Johnston. Lee
and Jackson,


In the forthcoming history by Mr.. Jeffer-
son Davis of the war between the States the
following paragraphs are found, Indicating
the high estimate the author placed on the
abilities of Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert
e. Lee and Thomas j. Jackson: =
when Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston
reached Richmond he called upon me, and
for several days at various intervals VIC con-
versed with the freedom aud. confidence be-
longing to the close friendship which had
existed between US for many years. Con>
sequent upon q remark made by me, he asked
to what duty / would assign him, aud when
answered to serve in the West, he expressed
his pleasure at service in that section, but
inquired how he was to raise his command,
aud for the first time learned that he had
been nominated and confirmed as a general
in the army of the Confederacy.
e'Fhe second, Gen. Robert T.. Lee, had
been commissioned by the State of Virginia
as major general and commander of her
army. When that army was transferred,
after the accession of Virginia to the Con,
tederate States, he was nominated to be
brigadier>general in the Confederate army.
but was left, for obvious reasons, in command
of tho forces in Virginia. After the seat of
government was removed from Montgomery
TO Richmond the course of events on the
Southern Atlantic coast induced ne to direct
Gen. Lee to repair thither. Before leaving
he said that while he was serving in Virginia
he had never thought it ncedful to inquire
about his rank; but now, when about to go
into other States and to meet officers with
whom he had not been previously connec-
ted. he would like TO be informed upon that
point. Under recent laws authorizing ap<
p%ointnents to higher grades than that of his
first commission, he had been appointed a
full general, but so wholly had his heart
and mind been consecrated to the public
service, that be had not remembered, if he
ever knew, of his advancement
''In November, 1861, reports became cur
rent that the enemy were concentrating
troops west of the valley of the Shenandoah
with a view to q descent upon it. That
vigilant, enterprising and patriotic soldier.
Gen. I. j. jackson, whose steadiness under
fire at the battle of Manassas had procured
for him the sobriguet of "Stonewall," was
then on duty az district commander of the
Shenandoah Valley. No was a West Vir>
gilman, and, though he. had not acquired
the fame which subsequently, shed such las
tire upon his name, he possessed a well-de-
served confidence among the people of that
region. Ever watchful aud daring in the
discharge of any duty, he was intensely
anxious to guard his beloved mountains Of
Virginia. This. stimulating his devotion to
the general welfare of the Confederacy, in,
duced him to desire to march against the
enemy. who had captured Romney. On the
goth. of November, 1861, be wrote to the
war department. proposing an expedition to
Romney, in Western Virginia. It was de-
cided to adopt his proposition, Endorsed by
the commander of the department, and,
further to insure success, though not recom>
ded in the Endorsement, his old brigade then
in the army of the Potomac, was selected as
a part of the command with which he was to
make the campaign"