Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1901-07-30
StonewaIl Jackson's Farewell ADJ
dress.

dress.
How Stonewall Jackson bid farewell
to his brigade when leaving to assume
command, as Major-General, of the
Army of the Shenandoah, is graph
ically told as follows:
'Op the morning of the 18th of Octo.
Der, 1861 the gallant 'Stonewall Brigade
was drawn up near its encampment at
Centrevile. All the regiments except
the Fifth, which was on picket duty.
were present. Drawn up in close col
umns, the officers and soldiers who had
on the immortal Dist of July won such
glory under the guidance of their gallant
general, stood with sad hearts and sorrow.
fnl counteuaDces to bid him farewell,
while thousands Of troops from other por-
lions of the army stood by in respectful
silence. In a short time General Jackson,
accompanied by his sta0, left bis quarter
and rode slowly toward the brigade He
was received by them in silence Until
this moment his appearance had never
failed to draw from them the most enthu
siastic cheers. But now not sound was
heard A deep and painful silence reign
ed over everything; every heart was full.
And this silence was more eloquent than
cheers could have been.
'As they neared the center of the field
the staff halted and the General rode for
ward slowly to within few PAGES of bis
men. Then, psusing, he gazed for mo
ment wistfully up and down the line. Be
meath the calm, quiet exterior of the hero
there throbbed a warm. generous heart,
and this parting filled it with inexpress-
BILE pain. After a silence OF few mo
ments General Jackson turned to his men
and addressed them as follows:
"Oficers and soldiers Of The First Bri-
qqde am not here to make a speech,
but simply to say farewell / first met
you at Harper's Ferry in the commence
ment OF this war, and cannot take leave
of you without giving expression to my
admiration of your conduct from that day
to this, whether on the march, the biv.
ouac, the field or on the bloody plau OF
Manassas, where You gained the we'll de-
served reputation of having decided the
battles fate. Throughout the broad ex.
tent of country over which you have
marched you have shown by your respect
for the rights and the property of citizens
that you were soldiers not only to defend,
but able and willing both to defend and
protect. You have already gained bril-
liant and deservedly high reputation
throughout the army of the whole Con
federacy, aud trust in the future, by
your deeds on the field and by the assist
has heretofore favored your efforts, you
will gain more victories and add addition
al uster to the reputation which you now
enjoy. You have already gained proud
position in the future history of this our
second war of independence shall look
with great anxiety to your future move
ments, and / trust whenever | shall hear
of the First Brigade on the field of battle
it will be of still nobler deeds achieved
and higher reputation won
Having uttered these words, Jackson
paused for moment, and his eye passed
slowly along The line MS though he wished
to bid farewell Individually to every old
familiar face, ~ often seen in the heat OF
battle, and 20 dear TO him. Tie thoughts
which crowded upon him seemed more
than he could bear he could not leave
them with such formal words only-and
shat from iron lips which had never irem-
bled ia the hour OF dad les, peril, bul
quiveIed now Mastered hv IN uncon-
lroisble impulse, the great soldier rose in
his stirrups, threw the reins on the neck
of his horse with an emphasis which seu,
a thrill through every heart, and extend
ing his arm, added in tones OF detpes'
feeling:
e" ia the army Of the Shenandoah you
were the First Brigade In the army OF
the Potomac you were the Fir-t Brigade.
In the Second Corps Of The army VOC
we're the Frs Brigade. You arethe First
Brigade in the affections Of your general,
and | hope by your future deeds snd
bearing you will be handed down TO pos
teriiy as the Fist Brigade in this our
second war OF independence. Farewell
For moment there was pause, aud
then there arose cheer alter cheer, so wild
and thrilling that the very heavens rang
with them Unable to bear calmly such
affectiug evidence of attachment, General
jackson hastily waved farewell 10 his men