Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-02-03

achievements, but TO recount briefly a
/ few personal incidents of which the
writer was an eyewitness and from
which ne formed impressions of this
: grand historic character.
Soon after the outbreak OF war, the
writer was ordered TO Harper's Ferry TO
see General Jackson on military busi-
| ness, aGd appeared at his Office about
dayb on morning in May. This
was his regular office hour for receiv-
ng the reports of his subordinate officers;
and after hearing the reports OF the
officer OF the day, the officer
OF the guard, scouts and
others, he would despatch business
10 very prompt and energetic way.
de knew exactly what ought to be
done, aud how it should be done.
| There was no wavering in opinion, no
doubts or misgivings; his orders were
clear aud decisive. 1t occurred TO me al
the time that Jackson was much more in
his element here as an army officer than
when In the professors chair at Lex
ington. IL seemed that the sights and
sounds OF war had aroused his energies;
mis- manner had become orusque aud
Imperative; his face was bronzed from
exposure; his beard was now OF no for
NAL style, but was worn unshorn.
As the war progressed and his fame
crew apace, whenever he would appear
riding along the lines OF infantry, on
MS chestnut sorre-h0rSe, clad in his
old, faded uniform, the loud cheers Of
his soldiers would follow him
for miles along the dusty roads.
He was good rider, but not
very graceful one, except on the occa-
SONS mentioned, wnen the soldiers were
cheering; then he would straghten
himself in the saddle, and ride erect,
with uncovered head and at rapid
pace, as ii 10 escape. this ovation Of his
troops.
On one occasion during the Valley
campaign, as our troops debouched from
q narrow crossroads into the turnpike,
we saw a carriage drawn up by the way
side, in which were seated an elderly
gentlemen and three young ladies'
As we rode by the old gentle
man halted US and inquired anx
iously for General Jackson. 1t at
first occurred TO us that he had news Of
importance TO communicate to the gen
eral, but the young ladies soon made 1t
apparent that their only object In being
there was 10 look upon this now famous
officer, whom they had never seen.
They paid little heed to any other Off
Ger or soldier of the passing column.
The old man "only wanted to see j ack-
son once before he died, and the young
ladies were 'Just crazy to see HIM"
Soon thereafter, a post-quartermaster
/ rode by; his bright uniform presented a
striking contrast TO the dust-begrmed
reg mentals of the officers of the col
umn, aud the young ladies were sure
this fne-looking soldier must be the
great "Stonewall," the hero of their i'm
laginations. Finally, when General
Jackson did appear on the scene, it was
difficult TO make these ladies believe
Uhat the travel-stained horseman,
with his faded cap drawn low
over his sunburned, bearded
face, was the famous "Stonewall"
whose name had wrought so great a
spell in that valley.
On the day OF Malvern Hill saw
"Stonewall" Jackson in the thick OF
the fight and under circumstances that
moved the very depths Of his nature.
| The sun was sinking toward the west
ern sky when our wearied troops
merged from the pine woods, which
we're being torn and riven by shot and
she'll. We stood there obscured from
our formidable adversary only
| by the black cloud of sui
ohurous smoke that overhung the
| bloody field like a pail shroudins the
windrows of the slain. McClelan's
lraud army, 90, 900 strong, confronted
us on those heights, which bristIed with
800 feld-pieces and great siege-Guns,
reinforced by tins monster cannon OF the
river boats. All these guns, banked 10
tiers. extending the distance OF a mile,
now beiched forth in streams OF lame
and iron hail, that moved down ranks
land regiments, and forest trees FAR IN
their rear. The incessant din and con-
cusson of the bursting bombs seemed TO
rend the armament and snake the solid
earth.
As we moved forward into action we
marched within few PAGES OF ''Stone-
wal, who AZ that time was giving or
ders to a battery which was being actu-
allv destroyed by the concentrated IRE
Of McClellan's artillery. He sat erect
on his horse. in this hurricane OF can
ulster and grape; his face was afame
with passion, his eyes flashed. his IN
| der Jaw protrudad, and his voice rang
out sharp and clear. Before he was en-
tireIy obscured from our view, the SOL
diers would turn, al brief intervals, to
.ook back on him, as il for the last time.
And indeed it was the last time for
many Of us.
Toward the close of his career, when
ever stone wall" Jackson appeared 10
citizens who had known him only by
reoutation. he was always regarded by
them with great interest. Many had
clothed him in Imagination with almost
supernatural powers; others believed
MIN to be chosen leader, especially
favored of heaven on account OF his re-
faious character and pure life.
But his soldiers knew that his sue
cess lay in his eternal vigilance, MS IN
riripg energy, his personal supervision
and perfect knowledge OF the topogra-
ply of the field OF his operations
and the exercise OF those qualitie-
that bring success 70 other gems
erals. Yet be possessed qualities
that were peculiar to him as natural
gifts; he had resolute mind and never
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