Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-18
STORIES OF JACKSON.
"reminiscences Of His Campaigns In the
Shenandoah Valley.
HOW he UTILIZED HON.CONBATAETS.
Pixies 20 lie Used Where Firearms Were
Not AvaiiabIe-Ifow Captain Cutshaw
Routed Bushwhackers.
written for the Dispatch.)

fhe exploits and stories Of the Con-
federate soldier will always be welcomed
by the warm-hearted and true, and they
often wipe off the tear Of distress and
give courage to the old veteran with
missing limb. whom we frequently see
hurrying along our streets regardless OF
the racl.ng pains, ever reminding them
of their trials In war and Of their gal
liant effort. now so completely forgotten
II ever known to the butterfly soldiers
and politicians of the day.
To lead up to my story, send several
letters from the immortal Stonewall
Jackson and Ex-Governor John Letcner'
who were warm personal friends, anu
were exerting their best efforts to de-
fend Virginia from common enemy and
some Of the descendants OF the Goths
and Hessians, who had been carried 10
the Valley of Virginia after the capture
of General Burgoyne's army at Saratoga
and held near Winchester, WoodstocX'
and Charlottesville, until exchanged OF
liberated In the first Revolution oil la.
Many of them deserted the British ana
settled In the mountains Of West 'Nir-
glnia.
General Jackson's heart, soul. minu'
feelings. and prayers were all ior MS
loved old mother Virginia and her ancient
landmarks. lie had been educated 10
believe the old Commonwealth rich anu
redolent with glory and grandeur haa
grown and hourjshed under the tutelase
Of her sages and heroes or the heNoi'-
tlon. and he was ready TO defend her
with his life. lie had no sympathy with
any one who did not believe that VIZ
ginla was a sovereign state, ana tha' III III
laws were supreme and absolute ihe
Coverner had called for the people to de-
farfd their rights under Jackson, VINO
desplsed deserters far more than ne ui'
the invader; but he respected the ieei-
ines OF the Dunkards, who were Wiling
to obey the laws OF Virginia, as VIII 10"
be shown.
General Fremont. of the Federal army,
with 1900 men. had entered the noun
tain district, which was General Jacksons
old home and General Banks was In the
Lower Shenandoah Valley with ZoVV men
70 meet and resist this great force Cen
eral jackson had about 900 teitecuNel
Confederate volunteers. and the mlhtla oi
that part Of Virginia, who. under the
call of the Governor. was subject TO ms
orders jackson had not arms enough
to EQUIP his militia. and was greatly taxed
TO supply this deficiency. 1t was sight
to see the militia that he had 10 rely
upon Many of them were dressed IN
their best clothes, but of every pattern ana
color: many with heavy bed-quiits, re-
yembling JOseph's coat OF many coiors'
lied up with bed-cords; some with stove
pipe hats: some with coon-skin caps some
with fint-lock rifles. 100 years old ana
nine feet long; others with single barrel
shotguns of equal length. all differing In
calibre; many without arms of any de-
scription, while many OF the old militia
officers had their swords resembling
scythe blades in leather cases, suspended
from the shoulder. A photograph OF these
men would have excited the risibles OF
the most sedate stole. Jackson's head
quarters were at Mount Jackson. Va,
and he writes the following letter TO
Governor Letcher through his aide-de-
camp, Colonel S. Bassett French:
THE DUNKARDs.
March q, 1Sc2
Colonel,-Pease request the Governor
to order 1900 muskets to Staunton at
his earliest convenience for the militia
Of this district. None of the militia be-
yond this county, except 800 from Au-
gusta. have yet arrived. but they are
turning out encouragingly. There are
three religious denominations in this
military district who are opposed TO war.
Eighteen were recently arrested In en-
deavorlng to make their escape through
Pendleton county to the enemy. Those
who do not desert will, to some extent
hire substitutes; others Will turn out In
obedience to the Governors call. but 1
flA.s
not "shoot" They can be made to fire,
but they can very easily take bad aim.
SO for the purpose of giving to the COM
mand the highest efficiency, and OF Sc
curing loyal feelings and cooperation.
/ have, as these non-combatants are said
to be good teamsters and faithful 10
their promises, determined to organize
them into companies of 100 each, rank
and file, and after mastering them with
the legal number of company officers
into service, assign them to the various
staff departments. without issuing arms
to Them but If at any time they have
insufficient labor, to have them drilled.
so that in case circumstances should
Justify it, arms may be given them. II
these men are, as represented to me,
faithful laborers and careful of property,
this arrangement will not only enable
many volunteers to return to the ranks,
but will also save many valuable horses
and other public property. In addition TO
arms. 1t may be that officers for these
companies would be a useless expense.
Please inform me as to the Governors
decision, as to whether II Is obligatory
on me to assign them officers. All l
have pledged myself Is. that as far as
practicable / will employ them in other
ways than fighting. but with The condition
that they shall act in good faith with
me, and not permit persons to use their
names for the purpose Of keeping out OF
service. I. j. JACKSON,
"Major- General"
On the slst Of March. General jackson,
through Colonel French, replied TO the
letter from the Governor Of Virginia.
RELY ON BAYONETS.
Colonel. | will see that the contingent
who are opposed to fighting, but consent
TO serve as teamsters, have their pay
secured. AS you say we must, under
Divine blessing, rely upon the bayonet
when firearms cannot be furnished. Let
me have a substitute; so make the arms
six or more inches longer than the mus
ket with bayonet on, so that when
we teach our troops to rely upon bay
onets they may feel that they have
the superiority of arms resulting from
its length. / would not mix the fire.
arms and substitute arms in the same
company. Colonel Dimmock has for
Warded the arms with commendable
promptness They are expected here to-
day. Say to the Governor that / VIII
talse special care of the State arms.
will see what can be done in the way OF
purchasing arms. but l do not expect
much success.
yours most respectfully.
ct. ]. JACKSON,
"Major General"
Endorsement:
'Respectfully referred TO General Lee
for his information with the hope that
pixies (say 1000 may be furnished General
jackson. / learned In Staunton on Mon
day night that General Jackson had
about 1900 militia and that they were yet
going in.
"Very respectfully.
IS. BASSETT FRENCH. e.
"Aide de Camp"
Pixies ORDERED.