The Opelousas courier., 1892-04-02

alton OF whose sturdy, vigorous natures
clearly reveal whence the gree military
leader inherited his indomitable will, his
energy aud tranquil courage. THE boy
was father of the man." In childhood,
he exhibits wonderful determination in
~surmounting obstacles and accomplishing
whatever he undertakes. This IS very
interestingly narrated in his trying ex-
p%erience when attempting to enter West
Point, his subsequent trials, and final
tower coming" of them all by the end of
his four years career as a cadet.
While in the military academy he COM
piled for his wv use a set of rules and
maxims, relating to morals, manners,
dress, choice of friends and aims in life.
Perhaps the most characteristic q these
was: "You may be whatever you re-
solve to be-" Snother was: Through
life let your principal object be the dis
charge of deity. Disregard public opin-
ion when il interferes with duty"
Then there comes "Mliives to Action.
FIRST, regard for ones W happiness,
and for the family in which you live.
Second, STRIFE to attain q very high ele-
walton of character and a high standard
of action"
With such lofty resolves he could do
and dare. What an example for young
men!
. His career in the Mexican wal 1916 to
1848, is pleasantly, but not lengthily
told his subsequent years of usefulness
and happiness as a professor in, the Vir-
ginia Military Institute, his two mar
riages are full of interest and fill his life,
till the shadows of 1861 called him in
the spring to the stormy scenes of war,
away from the peaceful nest in the noun
tains, to which he was destined never to
return. The interest never flags through
the three years, in which we count his
life by deeds, not gears, till the fatal
night, when at the very climax of his
glory a shot from these who would have
died for him, palsicd the strong arm and
put an untinely end to his grand career.
Dr. Field says: Next to his thought
of God and acknowledgement to Him
were thoughts of the dear ones at home
the young mother with his child in
her arms. All his heart was centered in
one spot. Many who read these pages
will be surprised at the revelation of his
passionate love of home, to which he was
eager to return, though he was never to
cross its threshold again. While the
world saw only the soldier with his coat
of mail over his breast, those who knew
him best saw under it a great human
heart. Above all to her who looked up
in his face with perfect trust and conf
dence, that face was open as the day.
To her this man of iron was the gentlest
and tenderest of all human beings, whose
first thought was always for her; who
would NOT s'that even ths winds of sum-
mer should visit her too roughly" Such
devotion cannot be forgotten even after
the lapse OF a quarter of a century The
yearning heart turns to the psst-the faith
full bosom carries with it q great mem
ory and a great affection.
GAS she sits by her desolate ireside, the
old days come agala, and they are once
more in the home that was always made
bright by the sunshine of his presence.
Filled with such memories, it is but the
impulse of loyalty to the dead, that she
should wish others to know him as she
did, that the world should know him
not only az the soldier, but as the man,
and should know all the gentlencss and
tenderness in that lion heart. This is re.
| vealed nowhere so clearly as in his letters
to her during the war. If any think
they are too personal, | have met the
womanly shyness and timidity by saying:
"Yes, you can leave it all out, and sup
ply every word of endearment by a blank,
but every time you do this you leave out
a touch Of Stonewall Jackson, for this
| fond devotion, this exquisite tenderness
are as much a part of the man as was hi:
military genius
The volume commends itself also in
size, binding and fnish-not SO vo'umi
nous or ponderous as to deter the mass Of
readers. nor is it at all prolix. The price
also ($2. COZ is such as to make it within
! the reach of many who cannot afford the
more extended and expensive biogra-
pixies of other great leaders in the late
war. 1t is L simple and beautiful story
twritten out Of q waman's heart"