Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-08-07
"STONEWALL'S Way ,
From the New York sun.

From the New York SUM-
About two years ago the Sun con
sidered the dispute as to the author
ship Of the well-known rebel war
song of "Stonewall Jackson's Way"
DR.. John w. Palmer seemed to begen-
orally regarded as the writer, though
Mrs. Edward King Of Petersburg, Va,
wrote at the time : 1T is well known
to Southern men that my husband,
Major f. King, a quartermaster, who
served throughout the war is the au-
thor. / have the veritable original of
the song, written in pencil on a sheet
OF Confederate made brown writing
paper, and II. Rives Rollard's cOrrec-
tions thereon editor Of the Richmond
Examiner in 1861 62). The song was
dedicated to the officers and men in
the Maryland brigade in Jackson's
command" DR.. Palmer here gives the
account Of how he came to write it,
together with various interesting eX-
periences in consequence:
In September, 1862, found myself
at the Glades Hotel, at Oakland, on
the line of the Baltimore 4 Ohio Rail
road, and in that part OF Allegheny
County, Maryland, which is now
known as Garrett County. This noun
tain hostelry had long enjoyed a pc
culiar celebrity, dating from a time
before the wal. when its register was
rich in names of tourists more or less
distinguished, who came thither, led
by love of wild scenery or wilder sport.
The house was famous for its sur
roundings Of more than Alpine pic
turesqueness for the woods that har-
bored noble game, and streams that
were alive with trout for larder
that was as dream Of a gourmet; for
u Maryland cook whose inspirations
were only equalled by the terrors OF
her temper and for such cosmopoli-
tan company Of guests as for versatil-
ity Of experience and accomplishment
and various charm of entertainment
had not their like in any caravansary
between the two oceans. And now
at this memorable season, their intel
Iectual exercises were enriched by the
addition of much agitating stuff, those
elements of excitement and anxiety
which were inseparable from the war
like situation, and We're stirred by ev-
cry shock of news that train or tele-
graph brought from many points
along the troubled border. For these
pleasant people were strangely mixed
OF loyal and ''secesh," of old ladies
who had sons with Mcclellan, and
Young ladies who had brothers with
Lee, of Generals and staff officers with
the blue on their backs and eager lads
from Baltimore and Washington with
the gray in their hearts, watching for
loopholes in the lines whereby they
might steal away to Dixie. And so
war talk was not cultivated at the
Glades Hotel, or at least was con
fined to the furtive whisperings in
corners OF any two or three who might
chance to be Of the same way ofthink-
ing.
Early on the 10th there was roar
of guns in the air, and we knew that
a great battle was toward yet car
riages and saddle-horses were waiting
TO take us all to an Arcadian picnic in
the woods above the Cheat River.
The hearts OF the others were beat
ing. but they went. alone made eX-
cuse and remained in the deserted
house, while the guns roared on, and
nv heart was full OF the mystery OF
apprehension and longing | knew
that Stonewall was in it. whatever it
might be it was his way-"Stonewall
Jackson's way" | had twice put that
phrase into my war letters, and other
correspondents finding it handy, had
quoted it in theirs. paced the piaz-
"a, and whistled song of Oregon log
gers and lumbermen that | had learn
ed from a California adventurer in
Honolulu. The two thoughts were
coupled and welded into one TO make
a song and as the words gathered to
the call of the tune | wrote the ballad
OF "Stonewall Jackson's Way" with
the roar of those guns in my ears. On
the morrow | added the last stanza,
and the completed lines were first
read by that winsome rebel, Miss Ma
~ Daley, now the widow of the dis
tinguished General George Crook, who
was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel OF
regulars for his services at Antietam.
In the afternoon Uf the 18th the
wires brought US the story from Cum
tarlapd oa had ioinad hattie with