Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-10-30
onent nrarer as s characterlctic Of jackson

quent prayer as characteristic OF JACKSON,
said slowly:
regard to praying. They do not care to let
men know that they kneel and pray, some
even thinking praying sign OF coWardicc
There is nothing greater than thus getting
hold of God Remember jackson, of whom
it can be said, There lies man who never
feared the face of man He was constant in
prayer. Men may scott as they will, but there
comes the time when every knee shall bow.
Stonewall Jackson went through the war at
tribl ting all hi, victories to God. He had alb
solute dependence on an Overruling PrOvi-
dence. What could overcome such charac-
ter? A distinguished Vir mia minister has
just furnished me this historical letter in re-
gard to Gen. Ewell and Stonewall Jackson
General: Twas in connection with
Gen. Ewells conversion to Christ, from his
accidentally Overhearing Jackson praying for
guidance in the prosecution of the campaign
when it had short while before been con
fessed by all the Confederate Generals, Jack
on included that they knew not what to ad-
vlse-then the brilliant movement through
ihoroughfare Gap, etc. My informant got
the account from a minister OF the PreSbyte-
ran church, who was present as one OF the
session in examining Gen Ewell (who had
oeen a very profane man and skepticaD, and
Gearing him give his experience and what led
ann to desire membership in the church.
Gen. Ewell had been wounded in the series
# battles that occurred just after the incident
to which reference is about to be made, and
he had time for deep reflection. Gen. Ewell
| did not have high opinion OF Gen. Jackson's
latural ability. Indeed, as he often remark
| ed in the hearing of his staff he knew Jack
son we'll, and knew he did not nave. good
common sense, and therefore the victory
which jackson had won had been an accident
| And so the staff used to join in with him in
dpriding the claim of Jackson's friends to his
being great General.
| victories, so that the staff, one after another
| ceased talking in the strain they had been in
| dulging in and Ewell was left alone in re
affirming his oft repeated convictions. This
| went on until the time when Pope had as
sumed command of the Federal troops, and Al
F., a juncture of that campaign when everything
seemed dark and ineXtricably mixed up; ana
council of war was held at which Gems
Jackson and Ewell were present. Each Gen
eral was asked what he would advise, and ont
after another said he had nothing to suggest
| and jackson also said the same thing bu
added that, as they seemed to think that HI
ought to know what to do, if they would
agree to meet again next morning, before day
| light, he might have something to offer fol
their consideration. They all then separated
| Gen. Ewell had not gone very far when HI
discovered that he had left his gauntlets
which he valued very much, in Jackson!
| tent. Upon returning, he found the flap Of
| the tent down and tied, and heard the voice q
jackson within engaged in prayer: He con
cluded that he was Just saying his prayers
before going to bed, and that he would wait
until he got through, and then he would 60 in
and get his gloves, but jackson continued tt
pray long and fervently, and he could moi
help hearing what he said 1t was as little
child talking to his father He told his heav
emily Father that he did not know what to do
that everything seemed to be involved in per
feet darkness, and that the other General:
seemed to expect that he would be able to tel
them what the army ought to do; would HI
not graciously reveal to him what was best tt
be done? This was the substance of his pray
er, which he continued to utter as he urged
his suit with God, which he did with the ut
most humility and reverence, and yet will
| the humble boldneSs of little child. Jack
son continued praying SO very long that Ewel
concluded that he would leave.
When they assembled next morning, anc
Jackson laid before them what he would nov
was the very thing that ought to be done; ant
so the movement through Theroughfare Gal
was decided upon, and the series OF battle:
followed with the results so we'll known by
all. Ewell was wounded, but he still helt
the opinion as to Jackson's natural ability
and there was therefore no other way, to hi:
mind, to explain Jackson's success except
| that prayer had power with God, and tina
this fact carried with it practically all thu
rest that the New Testament taught; and i
| this was the case he was most assuredly OF
the wrong side and the quicker he got over tt
the right side the better for him, and that HI
had been trying to get there ever since he hat
come to that conclusions and it was in carry
ing out this determination that he now asked
admission to church membership"