The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-04

my eyes. and stand here to declare. that
his greatness vanished not. nor faded.
but the brighter shone. when the shad-
ows OF evening were falling and the dark
ness OF death gathered round.
In seeking to define Jackson's place In
history / accept Lord Wolseley's denni-
ton Of "A great commander. lie declares
in effect that the marks OF this rare
character are: First of all-the power.
the instinct, the inspiration 10 divine
the condition and purposes or your enc
my. Secondly-the genius that in STRAIT
egg instantly devises the combinations
most likely TO defeat those purposes.
Thirdly-the physical and moral courage
the absolute sclf-reliance that takes the
risk OF decision, and thc,skill that prompt
ly and properly delivers the blow that
skaters the hostile plans. so managing
ones own forces (even when smalD as
to have the greater number at the point
of attack. Fourthly-the cool judgment
that is mistaken by the clash ana clam
or OF emergencies. And last, but not
least the provision, the caution thai
cares for the lives and well-being OF the
private soldiers, and the personal mag
nctism that rouses the enthusiasm and
affection that make the commander
presence on the battlefield the incentive
TO all that human beings can dare. ana
the unquestioned hope and sure promise
OF victory.
STRIKING INCIDENTS.
Many incidents Of Jackson's career
prove that he possessed the instructive
power to know the plight, and TO fore
tell the purposes Of the Federal army
and its commanders. To describe the
first that / recall: While dressing his
wounded hand at the first Manassas at
the field hospital OF the brigade at
Youngs Branch. near the Lewis house,
| saw President Davis ride up from
Manassas lie had been told by strag
glors that our army had been defeated
lie stopped his horse in the middle or
the little stream, stood up in his stirrups
Uhe palest, sternest face l ever saw,
and cried to the great crowd OF soldiers
II am President Davis; follow me back
to the field
Gen. jackson did not hear distinctly.
/ told him who il was and what he said.
He stood up, took off his cap and cried
we have whipped them, they ran IKE
sheep. Give me 10000 men and / VIII
take Washington city tomorrow VINO
doubts now that he could have done soY
When. in May 1862. he whipped Banks
at Winchester and had, what seemed
low him to Harper's Ferry. he not only
knew the number and condition of Banks
army but In his mind he clearly saw
the locality and strength of the armies
of Fremont and Mcdowell, gradually con-
verging from the east and west towards
Strasburg to cut off his retreat He
knew the leaders of these hostile forces.
their skill and moral courage. and cal
culated on 1t, and this so nicely that he
was able to pass between them without
a moment TO spare. Indeed. he held these
hosts apart with his skirmishers while
his main army passed through, each
commander of the Federal army In doubt
and dread whether the mighty and mys-
terious Jackson intended one OF his over
wheming blows for him. Both, doubt
less, hoping the other one would catch
IT, Certainly they acted in way 10
indicate this.
With the help Of Ashby and Stuart he
always knew the location and the strength
Of his enemy. lie knew the fighting
quality OF the enemy's forces too. Let
the Federals get very close" no said 10
Ewell at Cross Keys. before your in
fautry fires, they won't stand long"
asked him at Cedar Run If he expected
battle that day. He smiled and said:
Banks is in our front and he is gen
orally willing to fight, and" he added
very slowly. as If TO himself, "and he
generally gets whipped"
At Malvern HILL when a portion or
our army was beaten and TO some ex
tent demoralzed, Hill and Ewell and
Early came 10 tell him that they couIu
make no resistance II Mcclellan attacked
them in the morning. 1t was difficult
TO wake Gen. Jackson, as he was ex-
hausted and very sound asleep. 1 tried
it myself and after many efforts partly
succeeded. When he was made TO under
stand what was wanted, he said Nc
Clellapd and his army will be gone by
daylight" and went TO sleep again. me
generals thought him mad. but the pre-
diction was true.
At Sharpsburg when on the 18th. om
army had repulsed three great assaults
in succession and was reduced to thin
fine, happening 10 have urgent business
that took me to the front, l expressed 10
General Jackson my apprehension lest
the surging mass OF the enemy might
get through. He replied: Il think they
have done their worst and there Is now
no danger of the line being broken"
Mcclellan inactiol during the long 18th
when General Lee stood firm and offered
him battle proves that Jackson knew
mis- enemy's condition.
AT Fredericksburg. after Burnsides
repulse, he asked me how many band
ages 1 had. l told him. and asked why
he wanted to know. lie said that he
wanted TO have a piece OF white cloth
to tie on each mans arm that bis SOL
diers might recognize each other in
night attack, and he asked TO be allowed
to make such an attack and drive the
MT ha ri
him. Subsequent events demonstrated
that he would have accomplished his
purpose.
DRIVE THEM INTO THE RIVER"
1t was said that at q council OF war,
called by General Lee after the treder-
icksburs battle, Jackson went 10 sleep
during the discussion, and when suddenly
aroused ana asked for his advice, he
simply replied: Drive them into the
river"
That he possessed the genius TO devise
and the skill and courage TO deliver the
blow needed TO defeat his foes-is 1t not
amply proved by the general tact that
his army in the valley campaign was
never over 1900 and generally less, and
that for a time he was keeping at bay
100000 Federal soldiers-60,000 III or near
the great valley, and 1900 at Frederlcks-
buIg-soundly thrashing in the field. from
time TO time. large portions of this great
army. Not TO mention details, Jackson
and his small force influenced the cam
paign TO the extent OF keeping 100000
Federal troops away from Richmond,
and compelling the Federal government
10 employ larger force than the whole
Of the Confederate army in order, as
Lincoln said TO protect the NatiOffR