The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1901-05-22
A GREAT SOLDIER.
"Ston. wall" jackson as Vi. wed
py q Northerner.
A CHRISTIAN SOLDER.
The Fane Of this R.nowns d
Man HISS Spread all
Over tho Civil z d
WcT!d.


and We might add thi ough> ut the
world, the fame Of IL is reno peG SOL
dier has been sounded abr I'D. This
however, was not mis- real &mt. That
was Tho mas Jonathan Jsckscu who
was born in Clsrkst ure, Va, January
81, 1924. He was only three years old
when his father died and his mother
was left widow, with three helplet $
children in q small room where che
abode ard taught small school. Much
Of her time was spent with her father
in Wocd County, where her brother
also accompanied her. In 1880 she
WAS married TO Captain Blake Wood.
sop, lawyer of good education, of so
cial, porular mar ners, much her senior,
and without fortune. When only six
ears of age Tho mas left his 'pother' s
side to liva with his urcle. The i'm
pre- 81 ion of her dc ath upon the youthful
mind was deep srd listing. After this
he lived with various fri, nds Until he
was admitted to West Point
HIS soLDIERLY CAREER.
This began at West Point
during the four years in which
be er JOY ed its instruction and dis
cipline. 1t was indeed providentisl
opening for him, and he entered it
with energy and delight. So al xious,
indeed, was he that, with his ordinary
esrnestness and visor he mounted 8
horse at SUI down and, accompanied py
servant who was to bring the horse
b, me, hurried eff to meet the stage
coach. Arrived there, he was too late
however, he gallored on, and overlook
it at the next station. When he en-.
tered on his course of study he soon
discovered his Dc ficie ncy Of pre- psration,
and he had Rough time, so that be
was oblighed to study at night. But
all lights were to be put out at taps, "
and what was he to do2 His own in
gtnuity availed him here. just before
the signal he would pile up his CRATE
with anthdscite coal and, lying prone
before it on the floor, pursue his
studies. This he did until his fellow
students, who had looked at him side.
ways when he entered, used to say af.
terward, IF we had had to stay there
another year, Old Jack would have
been at the head of the Glass;
AZ tu6 ClOb6 VI tulo LII VI btNCTG
study he graduated, and entered the
'army in M>xico--In the-battls Of
Cherubusoo Captain McGruder lost bis
first lie uteuant, and as jackson had to
take his place, he was a vanced next
in command to the captain, and on &C
count of his bravery and skill was made
a captain. At the close of this war he
remained in the City of Mexico for
several months, where he and other of,
fcers had their quarters In the national
palace. Thus he came very near TO
the realization of the hope of lodging 6
in the halls Of the Monttztmas, "
which many had cherished.
Returning from Mexic, he spent
two years in the service, ard was then
tent to Fort Meade, near Tampa Bay,
Florida, where he was stationed for
about six months. In March, 1851,
he was elected Professor Of Natural
and Experimental Philosophy and
Artillery Tactics in the Virginia Mill
tary Institute, at Lexington.
HIS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.
In this position and in this beauti-
full plsc his cary religious experience
is first known. His mother was a
Methodist. While in Mexico he had
learned much about the Roman Catho-
lie Church and its worship. Subse-
quently he was an attendant on the
Presbyterian Church. This he finally
decided TO adopt as his own. ard be.
came connected with it in 1851 He
evidently had tome drawings toward
the ministry, and said to his aunt, Mrs,
Neale: 'The subject II becoming g
herald of the Cross has often seriously
engaged my attention, and regard il
as the most noble Of all proft ssions
But my conviction is that am doing
coed here, and that am for the pre-
sent where God would have me be-
Within the last few days l have an un
uusl religious joy. | do rejoice tc
walk in the love Of God"
It's said, by one who knew him we'll
that after he had become christian he
set his face against all worldly con
formity, giving up dancing, thester
going, and every amusement thaJ
had tendency to lead his hear
and thoughts away from holJ
things. When a question was asked
as to the right or wrong Of indul
gences that many consider limo
cent, he would cay pleasantly, "Well
/ know ii Is not wIorg not to do il so
am going to be on che safe side" HI
was very modest ar d in di fferent in offer
ing pray er in public; but after an admo
milton from the pastor that all chris
tians should do so, he callo on his pas
tor and wanted to know if he wer
among the number of those to whom h
referred He said he was not used Il
speaking in public; he was naturalI,
djffdent: ''but if you say so, | shsl
make an effort 10 lead in prayer, how
ever difficult it may be-. His fist effor
was a serious failure, but he persevt ret
unit, he became = mighty man In pray
or.
He abstained from the use Of all in
toxic c,ting drinks from principle. Dur
ing the war he was asked by brothe
officer to Join him in a social glass. II
replied: mo, thank you, but neve
use it. | am moro afraid of it than 0
Federal bull ts." AS an instance o
what he regM ded as the will of God an
obedience ID it, he was asked. lin
agine that he providence of God seeme
to direct you to drop every scheme o
life AND of personal advancement, an
go on a mission to the heart of Afric
for the rest of your days; would you go2
His eyes flashed as he instantly replied
IL would go without my hat"
His views as to how constant praye
may be enjoyed are given thus to
friend: Il have so fixed the nsbit i
my own mind that never raise GU
Of water to my lips without lifting u
my heart to God in thanks and prayer TO