The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-11

reer Of the great Cavalier, who is to-day
recognized the world over as the repre-
sentative OF the soldiery Of the South.
Not only is II true OF him that he uni
formly acted from the highest motive pre-
sented TO his soul, but so impressive and
all compelling was the majesty OF his
virtue that it is doubtful whether any
one ever questioned this. 1t is. perhaps.
not too much to say, that the common
consensus Of Christendom-friend and foe
and neutral--ranks him as one or the
greatest captains OF the ages, and at
tributes to him more Of the noblest vir-
tues and powers, with less Of the ordi-
nary weakness and llttleness of hui
nianity. than to any other representative
man in history.
Indeed, II commissioned to select q
man to represent the race In congress
OF universal beirg. whittier would you
turn to find loftier representative than
Robert Edward Lee?
What now OF our marvellous Round
head?
This certainly, that the world believes
In his intense religion and his supreme
genius for war. and receives every fresh
revelation Of him with something Of the
profound and eager interest that attaches
to the abnormal and the miraculous. In
explaining the apparent presumption OF
this humble contribution, cannot avoid
egotism OF personal explanation.
Probably no two general officers in the
Confederate service knew more OF the
inner being Of Stonewall Jackson and his
characteristics as a soldier than General
d. II. Hill and General Ewell. the former
his -brother-in-law. the latter. his trust
ed lieutenant. 1t was my privilege
to be honored with the personal friend
ship of both these officers-General Hill
early in the war. General Ewell later.
Both talked freely with me of Jackson,
and 1 eagerly absorbed from both all /
could concerning him.
General Hill, during the winter OF '6l-2,
frequently expressed to me his unbound
ed confidence In Jackson's unbounded
genius, and predicted that, II the war
should last six years. and Jackson live
so long, he would be in supreme COM
mand.
Dear, queer. chivalric, lovable ''Dick
Ewell" first worshipped Stonewall jack
son, and then Stonewall Jackson's God.
With his own lips he told me. what is
related with slight variation In Mrs.
Jacksons life Of her husband, that the
first religious impression of which he
was ever conscious took the form Of a
desire to get hold OF the wondrous
power which inspired his great COM
mander after prayer. Elymas, the sor-
cerer, Simon Maguss, IL you please-but
dear old Dicks "simony" led him up to
pure and undeiled religion" Ewell used
TO say the secret Of Jackson's success as
a soldier lay In mis- emphasis OF the
maxim. Thine is everything in war
more than numbers, preparation, arma-
ment-more even than all these and all
else. I am satisfied this is but part OF
the secret
My father was a minister OF the Cos
pei, but possessed strong military in
stincts. and would have made a superb
soldier. He was a sort OF chaplain-gen-
eral in the Army OF Northern Virginia.
and spent much OF his time and did
much OF his work I'm the lightning corps
OF Jackson. Being an intense Christian
and an intense Calvinist, he and Jackson
became warm friends, and he was much at
headquarters, even in the Generals tent.
distinctly recall his saying to me: IF
were called upon to state wherein Jack
son differed most from other men, and
wherein lay the great secret Of his pow
er, l should say he came nearer putting
God in Gods place than any other hui
man soul l ever met"
The stapment is as strongly charac-
teristic OF my father in form as l be-
lieve II to be of Stonewall Jackson In
spirit. This is what the world roughly
termed his 'fatalism" but II is also what
inspired and empowered his life with a
sense OF divine mission and divine sup
port, solemnized 1t with a sense of inf
mite responsibility, and steadied It by
complete dependence upon divine Provi-
dence and entire submission to the divine
DEGREES.
When Jackson hurled his columns
against his enemies It was in the strength
of "the God of armies and of battles
and the war cry of his soul was 1.-THE
Lordl the Lordl strong and mighty! the
Lord! the Lordl mighty in battle" While
the cannon Numbered and the battle
smoke hung low, and the result trembled
in the balance. his confident reliance was
THE Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
When victorly perched upon his banners
and the day was ours, his shout OF triumph
ever rose. Now Glory to the Lord OF
hosts"
An incident related by my father strik-
ingly exhibits the connection between this
religious or sentimental basis OF his
military system and the theoretical and
practical development Of it. The details
are not very distinct; but as I now re-
Jackson was present at an in |
formal military conference, probably not |
at his own headquarters. My father, OBJ |
serving the council from a little distance, |
noticed that, as soon as Jackson had ut |
tered very few words, his head dropped |
upon his breast and he evidently slept. |
He was several times APPEALED to- and each |
time had to be awakened After the con- |
ference had broken up, father asked an |
explanation OF his singular conduct. and |
rn,.lxv nrltr cfraf nd on
forces what has just been said but pre- |
sents a powerful photograph Of this |
unique being and his own statement Of |
the fundamental proposition Of his theory |
OF war. The entire recital was so re- |
narkable that it made an indelible i'm |
pI ession upon me, and / am confident Of |
81 bstantial. II not verbal accuracy In the |
OF IT. Jackson replied:
II always have one single. simple opin- |
lon. Doctor. and that is TO attack the |
enemy wherever we find him. GCd has |
not endow I'd me with the power Of i'm |
pressing my views upon other people, and |
when haze stated them. 1 have done all |
can for the conference. Besides, l am |
rot then I'm charge of the troops. For |
the time, that responsibility is on the |
second in command. and 1 can go to |
sleep with free mind, thing cannot |
often do"
Strange. solitary soul. called into coun-
I'll with others. 1t sinks quietly to rest. |
because for once absolutely free from |
Having nothing II can
give, others have nothing 1t cal get. |
His only councils are held with the |
wonderful and only Counsellor in the |
secret places OF the Most High" and /
when he energies thence to execute what |
God hath showed him In the mount" his |
Wisdom confounds his adyersarieS and