Birmingham age-herald., 1895-05-20
GEN. JACKSON'S SOUBR|QUET
lust How and When He Was
Christened "StonewaII."
AN ERROR IS CORRECTED
BY a Survivor of the Fourth Aabama--Cor-
roborated by General Pre8ton'8 Ac-
count of the Incident.
Birmingham, Ala, May IS. 1895.

Birmingham Ala, May IS, 1895.
To the Age-Herald:
During the Confederate reunion here
last year a few survivors of the Fourth
Alabama Infantry held meeting A
comrade made a statement that Gen. ID.
H. Hill had stated in an article in the
Century that the story as to the way in
which Stonewall Jackson received his
name was a myth. This comrade then
asserted that General Hill was mistaken;
that General Bee used the language to
the Fourth Alabama. He then gave
very inaccurate statement of the part
taken by the regiment in the battle of
Manassas, and said that General Bee
rode up to a group of men at certain
time and asked what command that
was, and, on being informed that it was
the Fourth Alabama, had said: This is
all of my brigade I can find. Come, go
with me Wonder where Jackson stands
like a stone wallr
This statement was Endorsed by the
survivors present and was published In
the Age Herald the next morning, April
2S.
/ went to headquarters the next day
and publicly asserted that the man who
made the statement was mistakeni that
General Bee used no such language to
the Fourth l was in Company b at the
time General Bee came up to the reg1-
ment. He halted a few steps in front OF
our company and asked what regiment
that was. On being Informed, he said;
This Is all of my brigade can find
then, after pause, he said: Alaoam-
ians you have acted nobly today; you
have sustained your name. VIII you
follow me again."
The men told him they would, but
wanted water first He asked If we were
certain of getting water. We told him
we had sent our canteens for it. He then
ordered us to sit down and rest and shell
ter ourselves from the bullets, which
were again whistling through our ranks
General Bee then dismounted and
walked up to Lieutenant Glass (com-
manding Company 3D. and engaged in
low-toned conversation with the lieuten-
ant. When the water detail returned
General Bee mounted his horse and
said Rise, Alabamians," rode to the
left of the regiment, which followed him
few hundred yards to the place where
he was mortally wounded.
From the time he asked what regiment
that was until he gave the command,
Rise Alabamians," he was within ten
steps Of me. He used no words about
Jackson or a stone wall. | heard every
word he uttered except what he said TO
Lieutenant Glass in a low tone after he
dismounted. The regiment was in per-
feet line of battle and perfectly orderly
when he came to us. / base this state
ment on my distinct recollection, as well
as on letter of mine published in the
TuSkegee Confederate States, giving an
account of the part our regiment took in
the first battle of Manassas.
L understand that the comrade who
made the statement which was published
in the Age-Herald does not claim to have
heard the language he said General Bee
used, but that some one told him of it.
To show how badly deceived he was
and to finally settle the matter as to
how Stonewall Jackson did receive his
name, l hand you herewith Century
Magazine of May, 1894, and ask you to
copy portion of Gen. Thomas l.. Pres
tons letter. General Preston was a cous-
in of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and one
of his staff during the battle. Respect
fully, l.. c. McALLISTER
Following is the extract from the let
ter:
Preston's Reply to Hill.
The incidents connected with and pre-
ceding this designation of General Jack
son and his brigade, as told at the time,
are simply these:
When General Johnston and General
Beauregard with their staffs and escorts
reached the vicinity and rear of the con-
f1ict, in an open field dispirited- looking
body of men were seen standing along
an old fence, General Johnston, accom-
panied by one of his staff (the Writer)
the line, and, approaching the color
bearer asked what regiment is this,
and what are you doing here?" He was
answered. 1T is the Fourth Alabama
Our officers have been disabled or killed,
| and there is no one to command u.s."
| General Johnston put his hand upon the
| Flagstaff. and said: "Give me your flag,
and L will lead you. Follow me-" The
| standard bearer retained his hold upon
| the staff and. looking up to the general,
as he walked quickly by the side of his
| horse, said, General, don't take my
| colors from me. Tell me where to carry
| them, and 1 will plant them there" The
| general saw that the regiment advanced
| with spirit, and, relinquishing his hold
| upon the flagstaff soon put Col r. S.
| Gist, one of-General Bees staff, in COM
| mand. In confirmation of this fact see
| General Johnston's Narrative" page 4S.
| His modesty and self-abnegation did not
| permit any alluson to the conspicuous
! part he had just performed The regi-
| ment had hardly passed beyond General
| Johnston and me when General Bee rode
| up, and, as he faced General Johnston,
| dropped the reins of his bride. and in a
voice tremulous with emotion, the tears
| rolling down his cheeks, said, General,
| my command is defeated and scattered,
| and l am alone" General Johnston, in
| the kindest and gentlest tones, replied,
| II know it is not your fault, General
| Bee; but don't despair, the day is not
| lost yet" A few moments of CONVERSE
| ton followed and then General Johnston.
m Iyipp q fanrR