The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-04-26
A Wsr stor, About Laekson.


on the night Of the battleo Of Fredericksburg when
Burnside was trying 10 get his army back 10 the
stafford side OF the river over The one pOntoon
bridge that was left, Lee called a council of war.
Jackson had been holding a position some three
miles down the river from Marye's Heights, where
the fercest nghting had taken place but mad moved
his command up closer late In the afternoon. The
night was fearfully dark, and drZzling rain had
set in. Jackson came into the council, Baluted the
Ofncers present, and took seat of in corner.
Gen. Lee stated the purpose for which the council
had been called, and asked one Of the senior officers
for his opinion, and then another, and another, I'M
III all had spoken save stonewall. Lee then turned
aud asked his opinion, but received no response.
All turned 10 hear what he would say, aud there
jackson, bolt upright IN his Guar, last asleep.
"Why bless me-" said Lee, "the Old fellow h
asleep and going 70 him he shook his arm and
called MS name, which awakened him. - Gen.
Jackson, will you give us your opinion as 10 what
should be done?'
1Gentlemen,n he said, 81 am sorry that / have
the council will agree TO II, 10 go back 10 my CORPS
and march j. int9 frederieks6yTg at once the
probability demorazed They have only one bridge
over which 10 escape one corps Is sufficient 10 DC
this work 10 destroy what remains Of the army on
this side OF the river and that being done the cam
paign will be over"
but, General said Lee. CONSIDER the fact that
these men have only the one bridge over which 70
cape; they WIN light desperately"
"what u they do2 Ny corps Is accustomed 10
desperate lighting: But the very fact that they have
only one avenue Of escape, IN their denoIalzed
dtOn, Will cause them 10 make every effort 10 ust
the bridge, They Will not light as desperately a.
:" But consider the darkness Of the night. Oui
men Will not be able 70 distinguish their Own com
Iddes."
~ have thought Of all that / will make my mel
pull their shirt-talls out aud march In; they wil
know one another then"
Gen Lee walked back and forth for some time
deeply engaged In thought. Finally he said: Seen
Jackson, ! do not agree 20 your proposition; The
slaughter would be horrible, aud my conscience
cannot approve Of IT,
my conscience approves OF il thofoughiy,p gait
Jackson. War rs var; the slaughter to-day hai
been horrible, and would have been worse had IA,
enemy gained those heights. The enemy " in a
trap, aud sc should take advantage OF H. II IA,
tables we're turned they would march IN on u.s.
AND at tils very tline,n sad Union Olilcef tC
me last April, 1--WE were getting out OF that place q,
fast men could be got over one bridge, We weI,
looking every minute for the Confederate troops q
rush 10 upon us, aud II they had done 30 we would
nave been utterly ruined. Popes army, when Jack
son got behind him, Was az plculc compared 10 oul
stuaion az night" And when told him OF JACK
sons plan for enabling 1ls troops 10 know Their com
radee' ne said; Fahus haNlnus ~ the only ollie
nsu who ever lived who would have thought Of Hucl
thing, and his soldiers dldnt have sue materials.