The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1893-05-16
HE ADVOCATE.
CARP TALK IN WAR TIMES.
Nat the Governor Of Virginia
Said to the President of the
Confederacy.

| During the civil war John Letcher
was the war Governor of the State Of
Virginia. John was a wire-puller
and slate-maker in politics, but not
much of talker; but he made one
Epeech to jeff Davis, which Davis
thoroughly understood, and which
probably saved Stonewall jackson
from being shelved or retired to some
subordinate command. 1t is in his
I tory that JEFF Davis carried into the
executive policy his own little person.
al grievances or spites, such as the
almost retiring of Joe Johnston, and
notably the assignment of Maj. Gen.
Gustayus w. Smith (without doubt
the most accomplished engineer then
living in the Confederacy) to the COM
xnand of the forces at Richmond.
1t was after Stonewall jackson had
driven Gen. Banks across the Potomac
and was preparing to attack Mellow
ell and Shields, as was his custom, to
have hand in all military affairs
cent an order to jackson which did
strike Jackson as polite, and which,
had II been carried out would nm
,doubtedly have resulted in the success
of the campaign on the side OF the
Federal forces and possibly the anni-
hilation of Jackson's command. 1t
irritated old Stonewall, and he sent
Davis this laconic reply: "Send me
Iless orders and more men," On re-
|ceipt of the message jeff Davis issued
an order through Secretary of War,
Randolph relieving Jackson from
%.ommand in the Shenandoah valley.
This came to the ears of Gov. Letcher,
and arrayed in his best bib and tucker
with his broad Panama hat, gold
Mectacles and cane, and his Guberna-
toral nose high in the air fletcher
w as a stiff brandy drinker, and his
Droboscis was carbuncled and red) as
who should say: sam not Cover
nor par excellence ?" Thus arrayed
~ his best, and in high indignation,
Ton oira warm Sabbath morn, his Excel
lency arrived at the residence OF
President Davis on Shockroe Hill.
"Is President Davis at home g
nueried the Governor to the servant AT
the door.
eyes, sir; will you step in, Cover.
\ nor Pr said the servant. mo, sir
said Letcher. ''Tell President Davis
hat the Governor of the State of Vir-
GINA desires to see him."
Davis was notified and Immediately
came to The door, greeting the Cover
nor with, "Come in, Governor, delight
cd to see you. sir" The Governor
drew himself stffiiy up, and without
further preliminaries. said: "Mr
President, am / correctly informed
that you have caused an order to be
issued through the Secretary, Of War
relieving Maj. Gen. I. j. jackson
from his command in Northern Vir'
ginia? Is this information correct
sir?"
"well, yes, Governor" said Davis
az consider that it is for the best in
terest of affairs that Jackson be re-
lfalsyed from his command"
Gov. Letcher: "President Davis,
have called on you personally to learn
IL this order is to be promulgated, and
to say TO you, sir, that when Maj. Gen
vi. J. Jackson is relieved from his com
litand shall also issue an order with
drawing the troops of the State Of
Virginia from the field. Good morn
ing, sir" and, turning on his heel, he
left the astonished President of the
Confederacy to his reflections.
1t is we'll known that this prompt
action on the part of Gov. Letcher put
q stopper on Davis, and that the order
. was never issued. These facts were
obtained from an officer high in SER
vice in the Confederate Government
Dat thexsime.
Worlds Fair Scenic Route.