The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-28
SToNEWALL JACKSON.
The Presbyterian Hero as Public
Speaker-Cromwellian Talk.


STONEWALL JACKSON.
The Presbyter Hero as Public
Speaker -Cromwellian Talk.
His wonderful genius as fighter of
battles so eclipsed his other qualities
that none stop to consider them. And
to mention him as a public speaker
causes the reader to give start of won
der and incredulity. But he may
stare on, and still Stonewell jackson
was a speaker. His speaking, like his
fighting, was sharp, terse, and lnclslve:
His speeches were short-the soul OF
wit-and always to the point. The
first speech the writer ever heard the
general make was not speech, but
two sentences declining to speak. These,
like all his utterances, were worth re-
membering, so well did they exhibit
his iron firmness. In February, 1861,
the General, with other professors of
the Virginia Military Institute, was at
celebration of one of the literary So
cieties of Washington College in Lex
ington, Va. The question debated was
this: "Was South Carolina Justified IN
Seceding"
1t was the custom after the set
speeches of the society representatives
were over, to throw the question open
| for general debate, and call on proml-
nent citizens for remarks. Major (his
| then rank) jackson had then a Mexican
war reputation as fighter, and the
students of the college. and the cadets
of the institute wanted to hear from
him. They yelled for him at the con-
clusion of every speech, but couldn't
stir him. He sat bolt upright in his
seat, with eyes to the front, apparently
as deaf as a post The boys kept yelling,
and jackson" was still the cry. Finally
they brought him to his feet, and re-
| ceived him with cheers of triumph that
lifted the roof. These were succeeded
by a breathless silence and eager listen
ing to hear his views. But the embryo
''Stonewall' was not conquered, and as
his remarks proved, he had arisen
/ simply to show that he was mistaken.
He said:
"Mr President, l have learned from
'Old Hickory when | make up my mind
not to do a thing never to doit. | made
up my mind before coming here not to
make speech, and | don't intend to do
it."
THROW rHE sCABBARD AWAY.
Soon after the above the cadets and
some of the citizens of Lexington got
into row, and the corps, under COM
maud of captain, marched upon the
town. They were pursuaded to return
to barracks, where Col. Smith and others
made addresses. Maj. Jackson appeared
upon the scene, and, In answer to calls
from the cadets, said:
"Young gentlemen, draw the sword
only as the last resort; but when
you do draw it, throw the scabbard
away"
Soon after, he was practising what he
preached, and if his policy of carrying
a naked sword had been initiated by
, others, history would read differently
J The writer was an officer in the 4th Vlr
J ginia Infantry of the Stonewall brigade
} and will never forget short speech the
} General made on the field of the hrs
} Manassas. The 4th and 9th Virgins
regiments of his brigade were deployee
: in the rear and in support of our artll
lery. For three hours the men wer'
subjected to fearful shelling. To liz
still and take such peltiug taxed th'
y nerves of raw troops to the utmost
: We could see no part of the field, ant
= the roar of battle in front and on eithe
y side, and the shrek of shot and shell
y over an6 amongst us sounded to ou
y unaccustomed ears as if the wreck 0
q matter and crash of worlds were q
a hand. We had the full sympathy o
q the general, who would occasionally
O after taking a survey of the field froI
O the crest of the hill in our front, rid
o slowly along our lines and in quie
% tones call out to us: "All's well! All
70 wellr'
Il About 3 o'clock p. m, he returne
70 from the hill with the sold sorreF' in
lively canter, and as he galloped dow
our lines, made us in animated tone
W this speech:
"AiPs welll Ais we'll! This nigf
" we'll drive them into the Potomac.
" want every piece of artillery they hav
" want it to belong to the First Br
/" gade."
N Our artillery came numbering to tt
d rear, and in a short time the place whel
d it had stood was swarming with feder
IN infantry. The. Fourth and Twenty-Se'
n, enth, with Stonewall Jackson in the lea
N received the federals with a charge an
rebel yell that repulsed them, broke N
Dowells center, and that night tht
were "driven to the Potomac, al
ed their artillery belonged to the FIJI
d. Brigade"
ne GOOD BYE TO THE BOYS.
or The last speech / heard from I
us General was his farewell to the brigae
M when, In the fall of 1861, he was pl
ch NOTED to the!rank of Major General a
IL ordered to the command of the depa
be ment of the Valley of Virginia. 1
ne brigade was camped near the old boa
il town called Certerville, in Fairf
ge county, Va, where he had MS nes
Is quarters. The command was formed
rge hollow square, under command OF
he senior colonel, Jas. +. Preston: ono
nd and men received him with en-
he as he approached to take leave
on. them. II wasn't a cheerful che
I'VE Their sadness put Jumps in their thro
the that affected the tones OF their VOC
The General halted a few PAGES IN fro
and, after pause and an apparent Ell
to control his feelings, addressed US
Dns follows:
ing ssYou were the first brigade IN
ars army of the Shenandoah; you are
ing first brigade in the army OF the e
BID. mac you won at Manassas the rignl
rly be, and are, the first in the heart OF y
of General
rhe Concluding. he wheeled his horse
me, galloped away, turning on top OF
and hill to wave his cap In recognition
me- the parting cheer fro-1 ms men.
rom separation was short Inc nicnm'
! as authorities were besieged till an OF
ion came for the brigade to join .%Sft
T>t.- -o ftrr 1,d