Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-23

were deeply anxious. jackson was urged
10 have him bound over 20 keep the peace.
This would involve his oath that he Was
In bodily fear OF his enemy. He replied:
II will not do IL, for II would he false.
I do not fear him. I fear no man.
Then the superintendent of the academy
had TO take the oath as required by the
law. and have the young man bound over
TO peace. When the war came on
Jackson upon his own promotion 10 a
corps, had this young fellow made bril-
gadier, and he became one or the most
distinguished generals OF the war, and IS
known to-day as one OF the abiest men
OF our state. Jackson knew he had done
his pupil n grievous wrong. and did his
best to repair it.
A POOR HORSEMAN.
It Is a pity where there is so much TO
admire and wonder at that Jacksons
biographers should claim for him accom-
pIshments ne did not possess. Some or
them tell of his fine horsemanship. He
was singularly awkward and uncomfort-
able to look at upon a horse. In the
riding school at West Point we used 70
watch him with anxiety when his turn
came 10 cut at the head or leap the
bars. He had a rough hand with the
would cut at head upon tho ground. he
seemed in imminent danger Of falling
headlong from his horse. one biographer
tells us "as proof OF his skill that no
horse ever threw him." This proof would
not satisfy a fox-hunter or cowboy, or
any other real horseman. He could no
more have become horscman than he
could have danced the german.
GOES TO TTIE INSTITUTE.
About 1850 Jackson was a lieutenant OF
artillery stationed at Governors Island,
when he was invited to accept the Chair
OF Mathematics IN the Virginia Military
Institute.
In those days the government would
grant an officer leave OF absence for one
year to enable him to try such an office
before resigning his commission.
SO he came up TO West Point to SEQ
Mcclellan and myself and other COM
rades before retiring from the army. He
was more cordial and arectionate than
was usual with him, for he was never
demonstrative in his manners, and he
was in good spirits. because OF his pro-
motion and tie compliment paid him.
He Informed us, however. OF a peculiar
malady which troubled him. and COM
planned that one arm and one leg were
sionally raise his arm straight up, as he
said, TO let the blood run back into his
body, and so relieve the excessive weight.
/ have heard that he often did this,
when marching, and having become very
religious. his men supposed he was pray
ing. never saw him any more except at
Manassas after the battle, when General
Johnston and other officers were con-
graduating him upon his fine conduct in
the battle. These peculiarities have often
been regarded and cited as evidences OF
the great genius he possessed.
THE BLACK FLAG STORY.
I have always heard it said that he
was an advocate for raising the black
flag and showing no mercy to the enemy
who were invading our country and de-
stroying our homes And It has often
been said and written that he urged
General Lee 10 assault the enemy in the
town of Fredericksburg by night. after
their defeat, and while they were re-
treating over the river, and that General
Lee refused 70 do so because OF the
peril to the people Of the town. l have
never heard of Jackson evincing any
sympathy or gentleness or merciful re-
gard for the wounded enemies he must
have seen, nor tender emotions OF any
sort.
Therefore, the delightful book lately
published by his widow is revelation
and surprise. Noth in all literature
can equal the exquid g gentleness and
sweetness this book gives US OF the
stern, stold. impossible nature. who
lavished such tenderness upon the OBJ
ject OF his love. TO her he unlocks
treasure of rich and plous and loving
emotions, none OF us. his most intimate
friends, had ever before suspected 70
exist.
we are glad TO know a new edition
will soon appear, for every library IS in
complete without his wife's biography Of
Stonewall Jackson.
nAnArLY II NAIrRY