Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-28
sTONEwALL JACKsON's BELIEF.
a Prediction Made by Astr0iogy veri-
Ned Years Afterward.

General Revere, who served in the Federal
Army of the Potomac, tells IN his book, Keel
and Saddle, a very singular story of the
famous Confederate commander, Stonewall
Jackson. General Revere narrates that
while on a steamer ascending the Mis-
sissippi, in 1852, there among the
passengers lieutenant, Thomas J. Jack
son, of the United States army, with
whom he became acquainted. They
grew friendly, and at night spent sew
eral hours in talking upon different sub
iects as they sat on deck. 1t was bright
starlight, and the conversation turned upon
astroiogy. General Revere knew nothing of
the subject beyond what may be CLEANED in
general reading; but Jackson in the course
Of the discussion made the admission that he
had Investigated the study, and had learned
to have some faith IN it. As a sort of test
he requested the time of General Revere's
birth. This the general gave, and they sepa-
rated, Some months later he received q
letter containing a scheme of his nativity,
with, among other statements, the prediction
that he and Jackson would be exposed to
common danger "during the FIRST days of
May, 1868.
General Revere thought no more of the
matter, time rolled on and his friend, the
lieutenant, was nearly forgotten. When
the war broke out Revere entered active
service, in 1868 was present with the Federal
army at the battle of Charlottesville. II
was night and he had gone forward 10 re-
connoiter. The rival lines were go close to-
gether that an expedition OF this character
was most dangerous, and it was not long be-
fore the general became aware that he had
lost his way. He proceeded, however,
with great caution and had gone some
distance, when suddenly not far away
a heavy volley was fred. He halted
and listened, and after little while he saw
a group coming through the woods. Their
uniform revealed that they were Confederate
officers, aud in their midst was some one badly
wounded, whom they were assisting, and by
their solicitude and bearing of respect it wss
evident that he was a person OF nigh rank.
AS they approached they caught sight OF
Revere, and surprising him to be also Con-
federate, from his presence in the lines, one
OF them bade him authoritatively to carry a
certain message to another part OF the field
their army occupied.
The general gravely saluted and rode off,
and made his way, without further mishap.
back among his own command. Shortly
afterwsrd he learned that Stonewall Jackson
had been shot, and from the circumstances
he knew it was he had seen supported by
the little group among the trees. Then it
was that the prediction of eleven years before
flashed through General Revere's mind, that
he and the astrological lieutenant should in
May, 1868, be exposed TO a common danger.
ackson was the former lieutenant and had,
in accordance with the prophecy, fallen a
victim 10 the peril from which Revere barely
escaped. The incident naturally made pro-
found impression on the mind of the latter,
and he tells the story at considerable length
in his book. 1t cannot of course be doubled,
the author being man OF the highest
character and having no particular interest
in astrology beyond this illustration of how
prediction founded upon its principles
was fulfilled. But even il it could be al
legged that Revere had imagined the incl
dent, or had made mistake in the identity
of the two persons, and that the star-reading
Jackson was not the one who was KILLED
at Chaucellorsvilie, the internal evidence is
quite strong enough to overcome such an
objection.
General Jackson was universally known as
fatalist, aud belief in written destiny
for every man in the celestial page overhead
is entirely consistent with his character.
That he was a profoundly religious man is
not opposed to this fact, because astrology is
in perfect accord with the tenets of christian
lily. We must suppose that an infinite wis
dom must be aware OF the fate
of every human being, and must, in 4
deed, appointing all things, have decreed
that fate. To what extent free will is
by this arrangement is some
thing for each one to determine for himself.
The theory of most believers In the occult
potency of the stars is that they influence,
but do not compel; but all agree that they
are only q secondary cause in human affairs
and the instrument in the hands of higher
power. Such doctrine is in perfect corre-
spondence with character like that of Stone
wall Jackson. General Revere's story GER
tainly scores a strong point for astrology.