Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-08-09
A Crucial Test.

sToNEWALL JACKsON'S RESIGNATION
AND WHAT 1T ACCOMPLISHED.
Major H. K Douglas in the Phila. Weekly
Times.
Mr.. Davis has entirely ignored an
event which it seems to me was of suf-
ficient importance to have required ex-
PLANTATION. In January, 1852, Stonewall
jackson resigned his commission as Ma
ior- General In the Confederate army
an act not as stratling to think of now
as it was then, and one which Mr.. Da-
Wis could not have forgotten. Jackson's
valley campaign in the fall of 1861 was
criticised on every side. Nothing but
success saved him from irretrievable dis
grace. The odds against him in militia
~ science were too great, and had he
failed he would have disappeared from
the history Of the war. Having thus re-
Eeved theValley of Virginia from threat
ened invasion he contemplated an expe-
dition for the capture of Cumberland
and the destruction of the Baltimore &
continued violence of the winter and the
damaged condition of the troops, espe
cially of General Loring's command,
resulting from their recent sufferings
forbade that. Having with the appro-
val of General Johnston placed General
Loring and his command at Romney
and dispersed other troops as the situa-
ton suggested, General Jackson return
ed to Winchester with the Stonewall
Brigade. Insubordination, melted by
the officers, broke forth in the division
General LoriDg commanded, and very
soon produced state of affairs which
threatened to destroy the morale and or
ganization of the little army of the Val
ley District. General Jackson was
charged with favouritism and his old
briga0e was hooted at and taunted with
opprobrious epithets, but the officers in
command of the offending troops made
no effort to stop this disgraceful state of
affairs.
Many credulous and doubtless faith
full soldiers honestly believed they were
doomed to speedy disaster and ruin un-
der general who they were told was a
religious fanatic. In this semi insurrec
ton were officers who afterwards fol
lowed Jackson with unfaltering devo-
tion and faith, and soldiers who soon
learned to believe him invincible and
heaven-led, and shouted themselves
hoarse whenever he rode along the line
Un3estrained criticism and 1nvective
were particularly active at the head
quarters of General Loring, and one or
more officers lit was said at the time q
special committee) went to Richmond
aud arraigned General jackson before
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 counteract the effect of the Loring
delegation the General peremptorily for.
bade it and all communication with the
War Department on the subject. AS a
soldier. he reasonably supposed that it
the report made to the President had
any effect he would be notified and call
ed 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 31st of
January, telegraphed to the latter to or
der General Loring back to Winchester.
This was the crucial test of Jackson's
character. 1 have said that only sue
cess in the Bath campaign saved him
But it mad not saved him from this di-
rect insult. At this moment General
Jackson's future depended upon speedy
action. If he submitted without protest
his prestige and influence were gone and
his future usefulness questionable. But
he did not hesitate for a moment. He
obeyed the order of the Secretary of
War and then, on the same day, resign
ed his commission In the army. He al.
so, the same day, notified General Johns
ton and Governor Letcher of his action
and gave his reasons for it. In his let4
ter to Governor Leteher, he said:
"As q single order like that of the
Secretary of War may destroy the en-
tire fruits of campaign. I cannot rea-
sonably 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 infiu-
ence over troops, this undoing of work
by the Secretary may greatly diminish
that influence. l regard this recent ex-
pedition 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 Stone
wall Brigade burst their dignified re-
serve and swore worse than the army in
Flanders. Men of the different COM
mands, even when confined in the guard
house, came to blows in discussing the
situation until separate quarters was
provided for their confinement. The
condition of affairs was indescribably
z~lk{ooI orI II MI