South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-07-31
THEINTELLIGENCER
FRIDAY. JULY 81. 1891.
GEN. EARLY'S ADDRESS
AT the unwilling at Lexington on
Jackson's Military Character and
Wonderful Achievements.

owe are assembled here" he said.
"for the purpose OF manift sling cur
respect and admiration for enc of the
most lIlustrious characters that has
figured In the annals OF history.
Thomas Jonathan Jackson YRS born
10 Northwest Virginia in 1924. His
! military career begnn in 1912 when
be Was admitted to West Point, from
which institution he was graduated in
l8A6. and Was appointed second lieus
tenant in an artillery regiment in the
United States Army. His first SER
vice 10 the field Was in the Me xican
war, under General Scott, from Yer a
Cruz to the City Of Mexico. he par
ticipated In all the aclIons on that
line, displaying such courags m ID de-
votion as to be twice breveted.
THE sToNEwALL BRIGADE.
In 1861 he was appointed professor
of natural philosophy and artillery
tactics in the Military Academy at
this place (Lexingtop. Vs) When
the secession of The Southern States
took place, and Abraham Lincoln, in
violation OF the fundamental provis-
ions Of the constitution and the eter-
nal principles of liberty. declared war
against the seeding States, Virg mia
took her stand with her sister States
of the South. Major jackson, like
true Virgiriaus, stood by his native
State and devoted his energies and
his life TO her serv.c,. His first act
was to conduct the corps of cadets 10
Richmond In the latter part Of April
for the purpose OF drilling and in,
structing the volunteers who we're be-
ing mustered into the defense OF the
State, under the supervision OF Gen.
Lee. On April "a he was appointed
by Gov. Le,cher colonel in the Vlr.
ginia forces and ordered to take com
mand OF Harper's Ferry, which had
been abandoned by the Federal au-
thorities after attempting to destroy
the stores and machinery at that point
He found the place occupied by mi :
litia and volunteers, OF whom he took
command. A brigade was organized,
aL6 Col. Jackeon took comm and un.
I'll relieved by Gen. Joseph +. john
stoD, who was assigned to the CON.
maud in the latter part OF May. We
~ soon thereafter q brigade OF Vir-
ginia regiments was formed aud Col.
Jackson assigned to its command.
This was the BRIGADE that afterward
bacams distinguished as the Stone
wall Brigade GA the 18th of June
he was commissioned brigadier.gen.
eral in the Confederate service, but
atill remained under the command Of
Gen. Joseph +. johnston. About
this time Harper's Ferry was evacua-
ted by Gen. Johnston, as Patterson
vas moving with a considerable force
from the North, and Mcclellan was
represented as moving from the West
TO unite with him. After some ma
neuvering Of the troops under Gen.
Johnston, which had organized into
four brig AIDES. commanded, respec-
lively, by Gen's. Jackson, Bee, Barlow
aud Colonel Elzey. Gen. Jackson bad
been fighting with part OF Pa,ter
sons army nesr Falling Waters on
the second OF July. THIS was biz
first engagement; the first radiance
Of that dazzling star that was destined
ere long to loom in the zenith of the
military armament. Only a very
small portion of his force WAS engag-
ed, though Patterson reported that he
had 'repulsed 10000 rebels Jack
sous loss was much lighter than that
Of the enemy.
MORE LIKE A TBUNDERBoLT.
A large Federal force was confront.
Jog Beauregard's army {; which occu-
pied the southern bank Of the small
steam In front of Manassas juno
ton. On the 18th OF jay the afr .ir
Of Bull Run took place, aud IL being
now evident that formidable move-
ment was about to be made upon
Boufegard, General Johnston eau
tiously Withdrew his forces from Pat
terson's front and marched TO ManAs.
sas. General Jsckson's brigade was
the first to reach Manassas, on the
goth. The rect followed, a portion Of
the force arriving 10 tue heat of the
engagement next day. o. the morn-
I AttA W AM9 EAoef % w uuAFtu AOIEEt
of Johnston and Jackso1 we're about
TO commence q plan of attack devised
by the latter upon Med wells left q
largo force Of tie ersmy which had
crossed at Sudley's Ford attacked the
flank Of Evans's brigade, which was
supported by Cooks. II being now
evident that the attack was TO be upon
our left, the plans OF Johnston and
Jackson we're changed accordingly,
aud troops were hurried up a. rapiilY
as possible 20 the assistance Of Evans
and Cook who we're falling back be-
fore the heavy masses of the enemy .
General Jackson's brigade came ur
add formed IN line Of battle 10 resi-
onr further retreat, and it Was here
that General Bee exclaimed TO his
men as they were retiring: There
is Jackson Standing like . stone wall
Rally behind the Virginians.' From
tbis circumstance his brigade took the
sppellstion OF the 'Stonewall brigade.
The smile is not, however, character
!stic Of Jackson he was more like |
thunderbolt OF war.
From that day, thirty years sgo