Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-08-01
StonewaII Jackson's Farewell.

The following is the story told OF
General Stonewall Jackson's farewell
to his brigade when he left to assume
command, as Major-General, Of the
Army of the Shenandoah
"On the morning of the l4th of 0c-
tober, 1861. the gallant 'Stonewall
Brigade was drawn up near its en-
campment at Centrev;lle. All the
regiments except the Fifth, which was
on picket duty, were present. Drawn
up in close columns, the officers and
soldiers who had on the immortal 2lst
of July won such glory under the
guidance oftheir gallant general, stood
with sad heart and sorrowful coun-
tenances to bid him farewell, while
thousands Of troops from other portions
of the army stood by in respectful 81
lence. In short time General Jack
son, accompanied by his staff, left his
quarters and rode slowly towards the
brigade. He was received by them
in silence. Until this moment his ap-
pearance had never failed to draw
from them the most enthusiastic cheers.
But now not a sound was heard. A
deep and painful silence reigned over
everything; every heart was full
And this silence was more eloquent
than cheers could have been.
Gas they neared the center of the
field the staff halted and the General
rode forward slowly to within a few
PAGES of his men. Then, pausing, he
gazed for moment wistfully up and
down the line. Beneath the calm,
quiet exterior of the hero there
throbbed warm, generous heart, and
this parting filled it with inexpressible
pain. After a silence Of few mo-
ments General Jackson turned to his
men and addressed them as follows:
"OFcers and soldiers cftAefr8t Bri-
ga9e: l am not here to make speech,
but simply to say farewell. l first
met you at Harper's Ferry in the COM
mencement Of this war, and | cannot
take leave of you without giving ex-
preston to my admiration of your con-
duct from that day to this, whether
on the march, the bivouac, the field
or on the bloody plain of Manassas,
where you gained the well-de-served
reputation of having decided the bat
ties fate. Throughout the broad ex-
tent of country over which you have
marched you have shown by your re-
spect 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 a brilliant and deserv-
edly high reputation throughout the
army of the whole ConfeGeracy, and
I trust in the future, by your deeds
on the field and by the assistance Of
the same kind Providence who has
heretofore favored your efforts, you
will gain more victories and add ad-
ditional luster to the reputation which
you now enjoy. You have already
gained a proud position in the future
history Of this our second war of in
dependence. I shall look with great
anxiety at your future movements, and
I trust whenever l 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, jack
son paused for a moment, and his eye
passed slowly along the line as though
he wished to bid farewell individually
to every old familiar face, SO often
seen in the heat Of battle, and 50 dear
to him. The thoughts which crowded
upon him seemed more than he could
bear-he could not leave them with
such formal words only-and that
from iron lips which had never trem-
bled in the hour of deadliest peril, but
quivered now. Mastered by an un-
comfortable impulse, the great soldier
rose in his etirrups, threw the reins
on the neck of his horse with an en-
phasis which sent thrill through
every heart, and extending his arm,
added in tones of deepest feeling:
"'Iu the army Of the Shenandoah
you were the First Brigade. In the
army of the Potomac you were the
First Brigade. In the Second Corps
of the army you were the First Bri-
gade in the affections Of your general
and I hope by your future deeds and
bearing you will be handed down to
posterity as the FIRST Brigade in this