Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-11-11
sroNEWALL JACKSON At PRAYER.
IN Interesting Incident iH the Lire OF
TtrO Confederate Generals.

presslVe tflDute palu 10 Ohfistldul'y thu"
that by Gen. John Echols in his Stone
wall Jackson Address" last Tuesday even
ing, before the Confederate Association
of Kentucky. Bishop Dudley, Bishop
Penick, Dr. Broadus, DIR. Jones, the Rev.
J. G.. Minnigerode, aud other ministers
of the Gospel in the great audience were
visibly affected when, after the thrillingre-
/ ctal of Gen. Jacksons matchless move
ments in the Valley of Virginia, through
out the forty days during which he march
ed four hundred miles, fought five pitch
ed battles, defeated five great Generals,
captured four thousand prisoners, and
closed the way of the Shenandoah Valley
for months, Gen. Echols, referring to the
death of Ashby and the tender emotion
exhibited by Stonewall jackson, paused,
and speaking of frequent prayer as a
characteristic of Jackson, said slowly:
"There isa weakness among young men
in regard 10 praying. They do not care
to let men know that they kneel and
pray, some even thinking praying sign
of cowardice. There is nothing greater
than thus getting hold of God. Remem-
Der Jackson, of whom it can be said,
there lies man who never feared the
face of man. He was constant in pray
er Men may scoff'as they will, but there
comes the time when every knee shall
bow. Stonewall Jackson went through
the war attributing all his victories to
God. He had absolute dependence on
an overruling Providence What could
overcome such character A distin-
guished Virginia minister has just furnish
ed me this historical letter in regard TO
Gen. Ewell and Stonewall Jackson.
October 10, 1S9l.-Gen. John Echols
Dear General: Twas in
connection with Gen. Ewell's conversion
to Christ, from his accidental overhear
ing Jackson praying for guidance in the
prosecution of the campaign when it had
a short while before been confessed by all
the Confederate Generals, jackson in.
cluded, that they knew not what to adj
vise-then the brilliant movement thro'
Tborougbiare Gap, etc. Ny informant
got the account from q minister Of the
Presbyterian church, who was present a.
one of the session in examining Gen.
Ewell (who had been very profane man
and skeptical), and hearing him give his
experience and what led him TO desire
membership in the church.
"'Gen. Ewell had been wounded in the
series of battles that occurred just after
the incident to which reference is about
to be made, and he had time for deep re.
Election. Gen. Ewell did not have high
opinion of Gen. Jacksons ability. In
deed, as he often remarked in the hear
ing of his staff, he knew jackson well,
and knew he did not have good common
sense, and therefore the victory which
Jackson had won bad been an accident
And so the staff used to join in with him
in deriding the claim of Jackson's friends
to his being great General.
"But, somehow, Jackson kept on win
ming victories, so that the staff, one after
another ceased talking in the strain they
had been indulging in, and Ewell was left
alone in re.affirming his oft repeated con
viclions. This went on until the time
when Pope had assumed command Of the
Federal troops, and at juncture of that
campaign when everything seemed dark
and nextricably mixed up i; and coun-
ell of war was held at which Gems. Jack
son and Ewel were present. Each Gen
eral was asked what he would advise
and one after another said he had moth
ing to suggest and jackson also said
the same thing but added that, as they
seemed to think that he ought to know
what to do, if they would agree to meet
again next morning, before daylight, he
might have have something to offer for
their consideration. They all then sepa-
rated.
"'Gen. Ewell had not gone very far
when he discovered that he had left bis
gauntlets, which he valued very much, in
Jackson's tent. Upon returning, he
found the flap of the tent down and tied,
and heard the voice Of Jackson within
engaged in prayer. He concluded that
he was ''just saying his prayers" before
going to bed, and that he would wait un
til he got through, and then he would g
in and get his gloves, but Jackson con
, tinued to pray long and fervently, ano
he could not help hearing what he said
It was as a little child talking TO his ia
, ther. He told his heavenly Father thai
/ he did not know what to do; that every
thing seemed to be involved in perfec
darkness, and that the other Generals