Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1901-05-10
An Interesting War Incident

life sketch OF Judge William M
Laughlin, by Mr.. Charles Curry, b.
ing an interesting war incident
which figure prominent officers of tt
Confederate army
Judge William Mclaughlin kne
Gen. Thomas J. Jackson well durin
the war between the States. Jackso
for number of years before the wa
had been professor at the Virgini
Military Institute at Lexington. Thi
same town was Judge Mclaughlin
home, where he practiceG his profel
sion, and where he was recognized a
a prominent citizen at the breakin
out of the war. Judge Mel aughll
was about as intimate with Jackso
as any body ever was. They were bot
Scotch Irish and had much puritanica
PresbyterianiSm about them, and tha
gloomy religion had set Its stamp OIL
both although Judge Mclaughlin wa
| never admitted into the fold.
mot long before udge McLaughlin's
death. he gave the writer the followin!
account of d meeting between Jack
son and young officer of the Con
fekerate army, who had been cade
at the Institute while jackson was {
professor there.
I'm the spring of 1861 Jackson was
stationed at Harper's Ferry. Nc
Laughlin, then captain of the Rock
bridge Battery, was under jackson 4
command. On bright and glorious
morning a splendid young cavalier,
mounted on his spirited black charger.
rode up to the tent of Capt. McLaugh-
lin. This young man was an officer in
the Confederate army and for bravery
had been promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel, and was directed to report to
Gen. Jackson at Rarper's Ferry for
assignment. He was hOrseman of
the rarest type, and reminded the
classic observer of some knight errant.
He was tall and square built, with a
military bearing and had an heroic
look about him. His thick hair and
heavy mustache were as black as a
raven. His eyes were bold and defiant,
and bis features strong and firm, CIV
ing him an appearance almost severe,
but still there was look of benevolence
and good fellowship about him, with
an occasional twinkle of humor in his
eyes that softened his expression and
made it attractive. This young officer
was the fearless and daring Col. JAS
A. Walker. He was cordially received
~ bis old friend and comrade in arms,
Capt. Mclaughlin. They had become
acquainted when Walker was a cadet
1t the Virginia Military Institute,
md they had learned to know each
'ther better in the practice of their
Professions, they both being lawyers
Using into prominence at the Virginia
Bar when the war broke out. Jack
on was a professor at the Institute
v4en Walker was a cadet. Walker
TODD high at the Institute, and was
n the senior class. Very shortly be-
ore the graduation of the class, Jack
on, mistakingly, charged young Walk
r, in the class room, with an offence
hat had been committed by some
ther student. Y oung Walker promptly
enied the charge and offered to prove
is innocence, but the stern Puritan.
cal professor would hear no explana-
ion and very severely repremanded
ne spirited young cadet. Walker was
nuch offended and received the sup
'ort and sympathy of his class;
nd, after advising with his
riends, challenged jackson for duel. |
ackson took no note of the challenge,
kept as an offence against the law of
he land. and Immediately went before
Justice of the Peace and swore out a
variant for the arrest of Cadet Walk
+. Walker did not wish to get into a
trial, and having no taste
or the publicity of the affair, left the
institute, under the advice of friends, |
nd lost his diploma.
When Walker was promoted to
lieut. Colonel ana directed to report to
Jackson at Harper's Ferry, be was
Tery much embarrassed and went i'm
to his friend, Capt. Nc
I.aughlin, to advise with him, as soon
as Walker and Mclaughlin had ex-
changed greetings, Walker said: me
l am in HI of a fix, /
have been promoted and am directed
to report to old Jack. [ have not seen
him since our unfortunate difficulty in
your town, while 1 was at the Insti-
tute. 1t is strange fate that should
be required to report to him. l would
just as soon be directed to report to
the old devil himself. lido not, in fact,
think bis satenic majesty would give
me SO much embarrassment as old
Jack. Captain, how do you think old
Jack will receive me, or will he re-
ceive me at all ? This is very awk-
ward position for me to be placed in
indeed" Mclaughlin replied that
there would be no trouble about the
matter, whatever. that he knew Jack
son very well and would go to see him
with Walker. So they started off to-
gether to jackson s tent. When they
got near the tent they saw the General
sitting at the door writing. The Gen
eral all absorbed, sitting stockup-
right, looking as solemn and impassive
as a grave stone, and writing rapidly,
did not observe the two stately young
officers until they stood by his side. He
arose and greeted Mclaughlin cordial
iy. but did not speak to or, appear to