The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-16

= WV ph0S hAV AOS - N'iAN SS1
forcibiy. what awful sacrifices may be eXacted
from a nation ignorant that such a science ex-
lists. There is no greater error, although 1t is
q common one. than to suppose that strategy
isa amer matter OF common sense. The'truth
i. that strategy is not only the determining
factor in civilized warfare. but that. in order to
apply it's principles, the soundest common
sense must be most carefully trained. In this
age. moreover, OF inventions. OF rapid move
mont. and Of still more rapid communication
che science OF strategy has become more com
plicated. and even more important. than it has
ever been in the past. ~.
l., -
stenewall Jackson. like Andrew Jackson. was
OF Bcotch- Irish descent, his ancestors having
migrated from the Scottish Lowlands. to Ulster.
apparently in the seventeenth century. His
gre~at-Rrandfather. John Jackson. landed in
America in 174S and settled in that highland
region of Virginia beyond the AileKhanies.
which was still contested by the red men. The
last great, battle with the Indians east of, the
Ohio was fought as late as 1774. but the mill.
tary experience. OF tho pioneers was not con-
fined to border warfare. John Jackson and his
sons bore arms in the Wal OF Independence.
and more than one of them acquired In it rank
and reputation. NTH next generation Judges.
Senators and soldiers upheld the honor of,the
name. The father of the subject OF this biog-i
raphy was a clever and popular lawyer. who
had inherited a comfortable patrimony. He
found 1t easier. however. to make money than
TO keep IL, and when he died. in 1927. at Clarks-
burg. now the county seat OF Harrison county.
every vestige Of his property was gone.
At this / time Thomas Jonathan Jackson.
the prospective Confederate General, was but 3
years old. Hisiother. left with three ietilf
dren. two sons and q daughter .rwas dependant
on the assistance OF her kinsiolk for support.
In 1880 sheremarried. but her second matrimo-
nial venture was not more fortunate than her
first. and a year later she died. After her
death. the children found a. home with their
fathers half-brother. who was one of tho
largest slave owners in the district Upto the
age OF IL. Thomas's educational opportunities
were such as could be gained from inter
mittent studies in a frontier school. In 1871
he became a constable of the county. and two
years later secured an appointment TO cadet,
ship at West Point. Here. by indefatigable
labor. he overcame the defects of his carly
education. and ultimately graduated seven
teenth in his class. having. in his final
year. received the highest mark for
logic. 1t was. we are told. a current
remark among his brother cadets that. had the
course been a year longer. he would have come
out at the head OF his class. As his shyness
had never ,thawed. and he was habitually
silent. 1t is not surprising to learn that he had
few inmates at the Academy No. one, sus.
p0eted him Of possessing any remarkable quali.i
ties except logged perseverance and q strict,
regapd for truth. That his capacity for COM
mand was not detected may be inferred from
the fact that he was never chosen for one Of the
officers and Sergeants OF the cadet battalion.
Neither. comrade nor teacher seems to have
diseerned beneath the unpromisinR exterior
NJ the hard -w0rktn0 atndant from Waat Vir.
ginia n trace of anything save what was COM
monplace. His qualities lay dormant, awaiting
an emergency to call them forth. r.F --,
jackson was fortunate in securing experience
In regular warfare Immediately after gradu-
alton. Scarcely had he received the brevet
rank OF Second Lieutenant OF Artillery. on
June 80. 1846. than he was ordered to join his
regiment. whichthad been transferred to Point
Isabel. at the. mouth OF the Rio Grande.
jackson was attached to aheavy battery. and
hia first duty was 10 transport guns and NOR
tars to the Aeighboripg forts, The prospect of
Immediate employment against the enemy was
small. Jackson was fearful that the war might
come to an end before his regiment should be,
sent to the front. II envy you men," he said
20 fortunate comrade who had already fought
under Taylor. that have been in battle. How
Ishould like to be In ono battlei" His longing
for action was soon gratined. The First Ar
IiloEy HHo mouo q paIS VI tuo army
OF invasion under Gen. Scott. which cap
tured Vera Cruz on March "a. 1647. The fall
OF the city was brought about by tho heavy
artillery. aided by the sailors. and the First
Regiment was continuously engaged. Jackson's
behavior under fire attracted notice. and. a few
months later. he was promoted to be First Lieu
tenant. " for gallant and meritorIous conduct
at the siege Of Vera Cruz" In the subsequent
attack on the hill of Cerro Gofdo the First Artil-
Jsry was employed as infantry. and their colots
we're among the, first TO be planted on the
enemy's breastworks. In none Of the reports
does Jackson's name occur. The battle, how
ever. brought him good luck. for. Capt. John Ma
gruder having captured q Mexican field bat
terry. Jackson was detailed to serve under him.
IL the battle OF Contreras Magruders battery
did effective work. but It was retained In re-
serve throughout the ensuing tight at Chufu-
buSco. jackson had handled at Contrefas
his section OF three epn6a with so
much skill and daring that Magruder.
In his oficlal report. commended him
highly TO the Majors consideration. In the
victory OF Molino del Rey. on Sept 10, lS47,
AaGruder's Battery took little part. though
jackson with his section dispersed a column
Of cavalry which threatened . charge. At
ohaDultepec he was moro fortunate. Across a
deep ditch ne managed to lift one CUR by hand.
and. although deserted by his soldiers, con-
Hpued. with the sole assistance OF the Ser
1eant. 10 load and FIRE his solitary field piece.
Eventually . second gun was holsted' aeross
the ditch, the men rallied, the Mhxiean arffI-