The National tribune., 1893-11-30
STONEWALL JACKSON.

eomething About His Convictions and q
Story Not Before Told in Print.
In the December Century Mr.. George w.
Gable relates the following story of Stonewal
jackson which was told to Mr.. Cable by Mr..
George H. Moffett, of Portland. Ore:
"StOnewal Jackson" he said, "openly de-
plored, as did so many other great leaders of
the South, the institution of slavery. Yet he
was firmly convinced that its existence was not
only guaranteed by the National Constitution,
but sanctioned by adivinely-inspired Scripture.
heard him say as much in the only political
speech he ever made. 1t was at a meeting
held in Lexington, Vs. in the election CAM
pagn of 1860, his voice coming Unexpectedly
from seat in the rear OF the house, where he
hsd risen in support of an aggressive resolution.
He was then Maj. jackson, Professor, as
every one knows, in the Lexington Military
Institute He was frequent visitor in the
house where, as a college student, / boarded.
and ! had more than once heard him express
in private conversation the same convictions
which he on that one occasion only, declared
fn public.
MY acquaintance with him was only such as
a boy Of Is would have with a man of mature
gears. Our only point of intimate contact lay
In the fact that / taught class in the now
famous Sunday-school which he had organized
in connection with the Presbyterian church of
the town. But believe this Sunday-school of
negro children of which he was Superintendent
isy closer TO his heart than any other object on
earth except has home and family.
"In the war though much under legal age,
became a private caYslryman. Sometimes
saw Gen. jackson. In August, 1852. the day
before he met and drove back POps's army in
The battle Of Cedar Run, / was riding dOwn the
road leading north from Orange Court house,
OF my way from brigade headquarters to join
my regiment the Rapidan, when l overlook
r aI..
ward Culpeper. The active movements OF our
forces indicated the sharp work that was near
at hand.
"When reached the head of the column
found Gen. Jackson. his cap drawn down over
his forehead, riding alone and apparently buried
IN deep meditation of his strategic plans l
rode bywith silent salute, but he recognized
me. called me TO halt, aud. riding up by my side,
began to talk about the colored SUNDAY s-school
in Lexington. It was a great qualification TO
him, he said that the school was being kept q D
iu his absence. So we parted, and he rode on
70 bloody victory.
And once again, it was the afternoon of the
arst day OF the second Boil Ran battle, and one
Of the most critical moments of Jackson's whole
military career. BE had come round through
Thoroughfare Gap. putting the Bull Run Mount
aims and Pope's whole army between himself
and Lee. Pope had turned closed in upon
him, and brought him to bay. The battle had
been raging for hours, and though Longstreet
had come to Jscksou's aid, no one could yet say
that Jackson's hard-pressed left would not be
overwhelmed. Our battalion of cavalry under
Msj. Patrick had been halted near GFoveton-
almost in the center Of tie field of battle-and
eharpshooters were deployed to meet the enemy,
who were coming down the Warrenton pike.
"At this moment Gen. Jackson rode up.
There was hard fighting everywhere. He con-
versed for few moments with Maj. Patrick,
and then turned aud spoke to me. de said that
certain of our men on an eminence above the
Toad were needlessly exposed, and bade ne ride
70 them and call them in. ] had started to
obey. when be suddenly stopped me with
. Oh! / had letter q few days ago from
DR.. White, and he tells me that our Sunday
school is still kept up
That vas well. i went my way to execute
his command, aud he rode back to his infantry
never saw him again"