People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1897-11-12
Stonewan Jackson.


of the knowledge that came from per-
sonal intimacy. So acute is DIR. Nc
Cures perception of Jackson's char
acter, so close was he to the war-eagle
in the critical moments of his wondrous
career. so vivid is his recollection OF
Jackson's conduct and words in crucial
emergencies, so thoroughly informed
is he as to Jackson's plans, methods
and motives, that the reader wishes the
good and most eloquent doctor had de-
voted many more pages to his nara
tive. Every young Southerner should
read it, for he presents the heroic at
tributes of Jackson with all possible
authenticity. DIR. Mcclure points out
that Jackson's campaign in the Shen-
andoah Valley is used as a model of
strategy in the great European mill
tary colleges. and be tells how he re-
Gently heard some of the first soldiers
and military students of England de-
clare that within the past two hundred
years the English-speaking race had
produced but five soldiers of the first
rank-Marlborough, Washington, Well
ington, Robert Lee and Stopewall Jack
son, Three of these were Virginians.
He finds that Jackson measured fully
up tn Lord Wolseleys definition of q
great commander, for he had the power
tn define the condition and purpose of
the enemy; genius of strategy; the self
reliance that takes the risk of decis
ion; the cool judgment mistaken in
emergency; the provision that cares
for the i es of the private soldiers and
the personal magnetism that arouses
enthusiasm and affection among the
troops. DIR. Mcclure relates many in
cidents in proof of these qualities. AT
the first battle of Manassa as, when
President Davis rode up to the hospital
where Jackson was having his wound
ed hard dressed, the former supposing
the day had been lost, cried out: i am
President Davis-follow me back to the
feld!' On hearing this Jackson cried
out: I'VE have whipped them-they
ran like sheep. Give me 10000 men
and I will take Washington City to-
morrow" Could Mr. Davis have done
this no one can now doubt that Jack
son would have been as good as his
word. At Malvern Hill, Ewell and
Early reused him from sound sleep
to tell him that they could make nc
resistance if Mcclellan attacked them
in the morning, he reused himself long
enough to say: Mcclellan and his
army will be gone by daylight" DIR
Mcclure says the generals thought him
mad, but the prediction proved true
His methods we're aptly suggested by
federal officer who remarked after
the battle Groveton: '"These rebels al
ways put their small numbers in strong
positions and manage to be stronger
where the rub comes" Jackson held
only one council of war. His advice
was resisted, and he yielded. The re-
suit was disappointment This hap
pened in 1861 at Winchester. He de.
clared then he would never hold an.
other and he never did. Thereafter u
says DR.. Mcclure, "he held council in
the secret chambers of his own heart
and acted. Instantaneous decision, alb
solute self reliance, every action, every
word disp aged. His voice displayed it
in ba tie. 1t was not the peal of the
1 trumpet, but the sharp crack OF the ri
fle-sudden, imperative, resolute." Dr.
Mcclure maintains that Gen. Jackson
committed no errors at Gainesville
Frazier's Farm or Cedar Run-th&t he
merely obeyed orders as he was in dut
bound to do. Jackson's GOODNESS was
shown at the first Manassas when Bel
exclaimed: "lhey are driving US
hackr To which Jackson replied
Then, sir, we will give them the bayo-
nety At Chantily, when Gen. A P
Hill asked leave to retire because his
ammunition was wet Jackson sent
this message back to him: "Give com
pliments to Gen Hill and tell him that
the Yankee ammunition is as wet as
|
Mcclure ADDS: ssThere was always
danger and blood when he began his
terse sentences wi b "Give my compli-
ments " The doctor rela'es several in
tidents going to show jackson kind
ness of heart, his readine SIS to TO- give
and his profound trust in the Almighty.
to his extraordi airy intensity and
vigor in ctio n, the following passage
from the address, descriptive of Jack
sons course at Charlottesville, where
he received his, mortal wound, reveals
the whole man.
Never can 1 forget the eagerness
and intensity of Jackson on his march
to Hooker's rear. His face was pale
his eyes flashing Out from his thin
compressed lips came the terse com
mand "Press forward, press forwardr
In his eagerness, as he rode, he leaned
over on the neck of his, horse, as if in
tn at way the march might be hurried
See that the column is kept closed and
that there is no Struggling" he more
than once ordered-and "Press or,
press ony' was repeated again and
again. Every man in the ranks knew
hat we were engaged in some great
flank movement, and they eagerly re-
vponaed and pressed on at rapid gait.
Fitz Lee met us and told jackson that
he would show him the whole of Hook
er's army if he went with him to the
top of hill near by. They went to-
gether and Jackson carefully inspected
through his glasses the federal com
mand. He was so wrapped up in his
plans that on his return he passed Fitz
Lee without saluting or thanking him,
and when he reached the column he
ordered one aide to go forward and tell
Gen Rodes, who was in the lead, to
cross the plank road and go straight or
to the turnpike, and another aide to
go to the rear of the column and SCI
that it was kept closed up, and all
along the line he repeatedly said