The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-04
the enemy from his position. He always


cessful or however exhaustlng In this
most destructive battle he was looking
all OF that day for a chance to make the
counter-stroke. He urged Gen. McLaws,
who had been sent to his assistance. TO
move forward and attack the enemy's
right Hank, but Gen. McI,aws was so hot
ly engaged with those directly In front
that he never had an opportunity to do
what Gen. Jackson desired. Other efforts.
with the same intent, marked his conduct
during all that day.
OFFENSIVE TACTICS.
His tactics were almost always often
sive. and by his marvellous strategy and
skill. by his consummate daring and alb
solute confidence in himself and his men.
he. made up for his deficiency in numbers.
When circumstances obliged him to act
upon the defensive. always at such times
he kept In view the commensurate. He
did not wish TO fight at Fredericksburg.
His objection was, that there was no
room for this return blow in the day
time. with the enemy's guns on Stafford
Heights.
| cannot refrain from speaking OF the
statement. recently made. that Gen.
Jackson advised Gen. Lee on the night
of the 18th September TO cross the Poto-
mac back into Virginia. / think IT Is a
mistake. He told me at one o'clock that
Mcclellan had done his worst. He was
looking all the afternoon for a chance TO
strike the enemy. but he never had suffi-
cient force to do It. He agreed with
Gen. Lee entirely during the whole OF this
campaign and especially during this bat
tie. Gen. Lee writes in a letter which
have recently read. when he Uackson)
came upon the feld-having preceded his
troops, and learned my reasons for oner-
ing battle. he emphatically agreed with
me. When l determined to withdraw and
cross the Potomac he also agreed and
said, In view of all the circumstances, 1t
was better TO have fought the battle In
Maryland than to have left IL without
struggle" I say it with all possible de-
ference to a distinguished soldier, and
most respected gentleman, but there is
every Indication that Gen. Stephen ID.
Leo's recollection as TO Jackson's having
proposed TO cross the river on the night
Of the 18th. IS at fault. He says. at the
interview he reports. that Longstreet
came first and made his report. Long
street says in his book that he was the
last 10 come. Gen. Lees letter, above
referred to- shows the entire concurrence
between himself and Gen. Jackson with
respect TO their movements both before
and after the battle. That Gen. Jackson
should have advised Lee. without being
asked. to cross the river the night of the
18th. is entirely at variance with his char
actcr. II was a liberty he certainly never
would have permitted one of his subordi-
mates TO take with him.
AS for his care for the lives OF his men,
the great military critics. whose opinions
/ have quoted. told me that In this es-
pecially appeared the superiority OF the
Valley Campaign 10 the italian cam
paigns Of Napoleon. While the stratege-
teal combinations were equally rapid and
effective, the successes were attained with
q proportion OF loss 10 numbers engaged
comparatively small. In the whole Val
ley Campaign his losses did not exceed
$500 men. His care was not only for
numbers but for individuals. 1t was my
habit to tell him after battle the whole
sad story of the losses as they came I'M
der my observation. He always waited
for this detailed report. and when / was
delayed he would order that he should be
walked up when / came I'm. Presently [
shall have occasion o. show you how from
time to time he received such news. His
commissares and quarter masters know
how minutely he looked into all the de-
tails Of their departments. To give only
one Illustration Of his care Of his soldiers:
/ remember in our march 10 the rear of
supply train, he called for two OF his Of
hcers. and sent them with a squad Of
cavalry ahead of his army to tell the
people he was coming and to ask them
to send some provisions to his men. The
people responded nobly to this appeal and
brought liberal supplies Of -four and meat
and other things TO the troops and Jack
son recognized the fact that these officers
and the people had done good service that
day.
Personal MAGNETISM.
Had he the personal magnetism that
characterizes great commander? Did
he arouse the enthusiasm Of his men?
What army ever had more unbounded
confidence in its General than did the
army OF Jackson, and what General ever
trusted and depended on his army more
than Jackson?
Jackson knew the value Of the Southern
volunteer better and sooner (as / believe
than any other Of our great leaders. When
Gen. Johnston took charge at Harper s
Ferry, the general stan went with the
command. one day, when the Second
Virginia Regiment, composed of men from
my county marched by, | said 10 him.
III these men Of the Second Virginia Will
not fight you have no troops that Will
lie expressed the prevalent but afterWard
changed opinion OF that early day in his
reply, saying. Il would not give one COM
pany OF regulars for the whole regiment"
When I returned TO Gen. Jacksons stan
1 had occasion to quote TO him Gen.
Johnston's opinion. Did he say that" he
asked, "and Of those splendid men?" And
then he added: THE PATRIOT VOL
UNTEER FIGHTING FOR COUNTRY
AND HIS RIGHTS MAKES THE MOST
RELIABLE SOLDIER on EARTH"
Was the confidence returned? When.
at sight of him, the battle shout of fight
ing thousands shook the far heavens who
could doubt its meanlngl Did his men
love him? What need of proof or ilIu-
strationl DO We not feel it today in
every throb Of our hearts, though the
long years have rolled away, though three
ana one-half decades have done their sad
work Of placement?
/ would ike TO show you Jackson as
man. for | think that only those who
were near him knew him, and to them
the picture OF him as a man with the
heart Of a man, is nobler his memory as
a true Christian gentleman is dearer, and
he himself IS greater-than even he SEEM
ed as a soldier.
Under the grave and generally serious
manner, sometimes almost stern there
were strong human passions dominated
by his iron will-there was intense earthly
ambition. The first time l was under fire
the attempt to diagnose my feelings did
not discover anything that l recognized
as positive enjoyment. l was not clearly
and Enthusiastically conscious Of that feel
ing until after l got out OF il. 1 told
Gen. Jackson frankly what my feelings
were. and asked him how he felt the first
time he experienced II. Just a glimpse OF
his inner nature flashed forth in most
unusual expression. Afraid the fire