Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-14


practice during study hours to sit with
his back TO the door, with hts book be-
fore him. and to speak to no one VINO
entered the room. But despite these ex-
traordinary efforts his early training had
left him far behind his fellow -studeats.
At the end OF the second year II was
thought he would not be able 10 get
through, and one OF the professors, who
had taken warm interest in HIN. adj
vsed him to resign. and thus save HIM
self from the humiliation Of failure IN
the end. Jacksons pride was touched at
this. and he replied that would not re-
sign. but would 20 through or die. and he
did About the middle OF the third year,
TO use his own words. the scales fell from
his eyes. and he comprehendci in an In
slant things which had puzzled him for
weeks a year before. After that he had
no trouble: took high rank ~ all his
classes. and graduated with distinguished
honors at the end Of the fourth year.
ACTIVE SERVICE
Upon leaving West Point, he entered
the regular army. and soon saw active ser
vice In the Mexican war. His gailantry
won him promotion. and at the end of the
war he was placed IN command OF the
garrison at Fort Hamilton, and aftcrward
al Tampa Bay. At these places he spent
two years. but his health failing. he re
signed his commission and came back to
his old home here. After remaining here
for some time he tired OF inaction. and
wanted something to do a new professor
ship had been created In the Military
Institute Of Virginia. at Lexington. and
through the Efforts OF influential friends
Jackson was appointed TO the place. he
remained there a successful acher or
young men until the opening of the war
called him to a broader field Of action
Il first met stone wall jackson when he
was a professor and ] a student at Lex
ington. and afterward when he was a
commander and an officer in the army
OF Virginia. lie was one or the erandest
men it has been my good fortune TO claim
as "A friend" The speaker was Colonel
George II. Moffatt. formerly Of Buckhan-
non, this state. IT was while passing an
afternoon with him not long ago that !
persuaded him TO give me his recollecticns
of General Jackson. which fittingly sup
plcmented those OF Mr.. Arnold.
During the years | spent AT college In
Lexington" continued Colonel MoGatt. Il
made my home with the wife OF Or. Es-
tolle. She was a warm-heartod southern
woman and a close friend Of Jackson .,
then n professor Of mathematics at the
Military Institute He often called at our
mouse. anu II NdS llfif AlthA cam W
know him In the autumn Of 1859. I shall
never forget the first time met him. As
n boy | had heard of his struggles as a
cadet at West Point and his services with
General Scott in Mexico. In imagination
| had created an ideal which made my
first meeting with him a keen disappolnt-
ment Instead OF the handsome polished
gentleman | had pictured. | found MIN
awkward in appearance, severely pam III
dress. and stiff and constrained In bear
ing. but when he began 10 talk my dis
appointment passed away His voice was
soft. musical and singUlarly expressive.
while in conversation his eyes OF gray
would light up in "A way that showed that
through the mans nature ran vein OF
sentiment tender as that of woman :.
Listening to his terse. well-rOunded SEN
fences. always instructive and fun Of
meaning. boy though | was, | felt that
he possessed power. which, In stirring
times. would make him a leader among
his fellows. When in later years ! saw
his appearance on a battlefield give re
newcd courage to veterans who had faced
death in dozen forms. | knew that my
conviction was not a mistaken one.
General Jackson was profoundly de-
vout man. and labOred constantly to bring
himself and those to whom he held the
relation Of teacher to the highest idea
of manhood He was superintendent OF
Sunday school in Lexington. made up
Of col0rcd children. My chum was
teacher in the school, and once during his
absence | took charge Of his class. 1t
was a Sunday IN summer. and the room
WAS filed with children. ranging from 9
20 IL years Of age. Scattered among them
were several white ladies' and gentlemen,
who acted as teachers. Just as the
tlfttf. alf4f1#
called the school TO order with prayer,
earnest and full of feeling. The manner
I'm which NJ handled the lesson Of the
day touching upon ali the points that
would interest his youthful hearers, was
admirable: his way of stating old truths,
Charming in its freshness and simplicity.
Some of the aristocratic people Of Lexing-
ton looked with disiavor upon this under
taking Of JacksOn's, but hi, heart was IN
the work and then, as ever, he did Wha'
he believed to be his duty. The success
Of the school was always dear to HIM
Even after the war had broken cut, ana
he had left Lexington, his letters CON
stantly expressed the d sire that ii should
be kept up as Of old.
POLITICAL SPEECH.
Il heard jackson make the only politi-
ton during the campaign resulting in the
election Of Lincoln. Though the voters
of ROckbridge county. in which Lexington
is situated. were Overwhelmingly for
Douglas. Breckenridge had a number of
warm supporters and the latter called
n mass-meetng in the courthouse. Frank
Paxton, who afterward fell at Chancel-
lorsvlle at the head of his brigade. was
one of the speakers, but the interest
Jagged until Jackson, who sat in the
rear Of the room, arose TO speak. FROM
the first he was listened to with the
strictest attention, and his speech of a
quarter of an hour made a deeper i'm
preston than all the others. He spoke
briefly, and 10 the point, touching upon
the dangers which threatened the coun-
try, and the need for every citizen 10
| take decided stand for the right. as he
saw it. The scene comes back TO me now.
The dimly-lighted room, the upturned
faces of the listeners, and the earnest
words and awkward gestures OF the speak
| or. When he had finished he turned
abruptIy, and marched out with the quick.
firm step that was part OF the man, but
a revelation had come to those who re-
NAMED and they knew that the reserved
and quiet professor had clear and we'll
defined views on the needs of the hour,
and the courage to express and stand by
his convictions.
Though, as | have said. Jackson was
reserved and austere In his bearing, he
was one of the most popular men In Lex
ington, modest. and always unwilling TO
make a show of his powers Everyone
sooner or later came to regard HIM as
remarkable man, and even if they did
not claim him as a friend they respected
him sincerely, and were prompt 10 snow
that they did. In the classroom ne was
impartial and strict, b"t not severe. a
dull student always received his kindest
| Ell couragement. and lazy one was just
as sure OF reprimand. There are scores
of men who owe the education they pos
sess TO the thorough grounding received
during the years spent under Professor
Jackson.
when, In April. 1861. news reached Lex
ington that the ordinance OF secession
| had been passed, the sleepy old town
seemed suddenly changed TO military
| camp, and on every side was seen the
Preparations for war. II was ue-
c'Ged that the eldest cadets al
| the military institute should be sent 10
| the various recruiting stations TO drill the
volunteers. and so one day In May, WIN
| Jackson at their head. they marched
| away. The time for their departure was
n still runnv SUNDAY morning, ana All