The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-11
RETURNED THE BIBLE
Clay Whitley Sends Stonewall
JacksOn's Widow a Sacred Relic.
He Obtained 1t While the Confederate
Generals Residence Was Burning at
Lexington in June, 1864.

Clay Whitley, OF Nc. Is Kentucky ave-
nue., yesterday voluntarily disposed of an
interesting relic in the shape OF u Bible.
at one time the property of Gen. Stone
wall Jackson. He returned the Bible TO
the widow Of the famous confederate gen.
eraI. Mr.. Whitley took the Bible from the
library of the noted confederate general
while Jackson's home was burning at Lex
ington, Va. The house had been fired by
the federal troops. This was in June, 1864
General Hunter had been appointed 10 re-
lieve Gen. Franz Sigel of a force of 1000
men which had been sent up the Shenan-
doah valley to operate against Lynchburg.
Sigel being driven back, General Hunter
was placed in m
1t was on a beautiful Sunday morning in
June. about 4 o'clock. that the federal
forces occupied Lexington, Va, after hav-
ing driven the confederate forces from the
town the night before. The citizens were
In a state Of great excitement on account
OF the sudden change from confederate rule
to that under "old glory" The women and
children and the small number of men
who were not in the confederate ranks
gathered together in groups and eyed the
Union boys suspiciously. The citizens were
not mOiested until in the afternoon. AT
noon orders came from headquarters TO
burn the Military Institute, the pride of
Virginia Governor Letcher's house, which
was one OF the most magnificent of the
many Southern mansions in the State, and
also Stonewall Jackson's house, that stood
on the side Of a hill in the south part of the
city.
Mr.. Whiteley, then only sixteen years of
age and a corporal, was in the detachment
.l.4 A. -. l- -.
2 o'clock in the afternoon that the detach-
ment under the comman of a lieutenant
started towards the south part of the city.
The day was one of the warm spring days
that seem to give life and abundant happi-
ness to every one. 1t had been heralded
throughout the entire country that the
home of Stonewall Jackson. the pride of
the Southern armies, was TO be burned,
but this did not attract a very great de-
gree OF interest because each OF the inhab-
ttantS was at home watching his own in
terests. The inhabitants were expecting at
any moment to hear of an order to have
the town burned. The detachment, in which
was Mr.. Whiteiey, arrived at the house, a
large brick one, in a short time after start
Ing They found Mrs. Jackson at home
There were also about a dozen other wom-
en- present, whose husbands were away in
the army and who had been invited to
Mr.. Whitley does not remember distinct
ly how Mrs. jackson appeared, but he rec
Objects IQdI she was young ana TOOK mat
ters very coolly. The lieutenant informed
her of his mission, and added that the la
dies would be given one hour in which to
take the desirable possessions from the
house. Mrs. jackson had several faithful
aged servants, who were too old TO make
their way to the North, and who remained
with her without a murmur. a dinner was
waiting on the table. Leaving the dinner on
the table they at once began, with the as
sistance OF the servants. to carry out their
possessions. Mrs. Jackson took the occa-
sion as a matter of everyday occurrence,
and was without doubt the coolest one in
the party. Clothing, mostly, was taken
out, and at the end of an hour the lieu
tenant gave orders TO fire the house. In a
few moments smoke was seen curling from
the doors and windows. and soon after
wards the house was entirely in flames.
The Union boys were standing around
occurred to Mr.. Whiteley 10 get something
from the house as q relic. AS there were
no orders to the contrary, he rushed into
the house and into a side room, where
StOnewall Jackson kept his widely known
library. He glanced quickly around the
room and his eye rested on a small Bible.
He took this and retreated from the house.
Soon after the house was in ruins. On go
scene at that time of the surrounding coun-
try was one never to be forgotten. In the
rear were the smoking ruins of the home
of the renowned Jackson. In another di-
rection could be seen a column of smoke
curling from the Military Institute, the
pride OF the oldest Virginians. and away
from the two. in clear outline. could be
seen the flames shooting from the doomed
mansion of Governor Letcher.
Arriving at camp Mr.. Whitley turned
the pages OF the book. He found written on
a front leaf. Presented by your affection
ate sister. Julia" On another he found the
name. BETTE Preston Parsons, Shreve-
port, La" on still another were written
the words. "Guilitine charger The last
two were doubtless the name of one of the
many fiery horses that Jackson owned.
Mr.. Whitley wrote his own name and resi-
dence in the book.
After the war Mr.. Whitley took the
GihlR with him fn a number of nOinfC until
finally. settling in this city. he put it in his
library and il has been there until recent
ly. Some time ago the thought came to
him that probably the widow of General
Jackson. as he knew she was living, would
address. he sent a letter to the editor of
the Southern Planter, at Richmond, with
the request to forward the letter to Mrs.
Jackson. on last Friday, Mr.. Whitley re-
ceived the following letter from Mrs. Jack
son, who is, at present. living in Charlotte,
n. c.
Southern Planter. making inquiries in my
behalf has recently been forwarded to me-.
You state that in 1861, when you were In
Lexington, Va. you took from General
Bible on the fly leaf of which was written
Presented, by your afectionate sister
10 his widow if she is still living. ] am the
widow of the aforesaid general. and have
two grandchildren to whom, as well as to
myself. this Bible will be a very sacred
relic If Ii Is indeed genuinely what you
represent it TO be. If you will be kind enough
10 send 1t to me please address the pack
West Trade street. Charlotte. N. c."
Mr.. Whiteley sent the Bible yesterday by
express. He says that though taking much
Tor him to send the Bible back to its
original owner. He stated that he expected
an answer from Mrs. jackson as soon as
she received the Bible.
MUTINY IN THE ARMY.