Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-01-31
A stonewaIl Jackson Letter.

At meeting of William Watts
Camp, Confederate Veterans. held IN
the city hall last night, Mr.. Thomas
W. Miller, attorney, appeared before
the body and exhibited letter which
was written BY General 7. ]. (Stone-
walD jackson on the battlefield at
Antietam, to lady in the vicinity
who kindly sent him his breakfast.
General jackson did not know her
name, so be gave her the assumed
name of Miss "Fsir6sld,' suggested
by the thought that, since she was a
lady, she must be fair, and the
field Of battle on which he ate the
breakfast she had so kindly furnished
him, coupled together gave the origin
of the name he employed.
Mr.. Miller explained hat CON-
mittee from the Sons of Confederate
Veterans bad been delegated to take
the letter 10 the Confederate Muse
um at Richmond, aud it was desired
that the Veterans name committee
from their body TO act as a JOINT COM
mlttee. which was done, Mr.. II S.
Trout having been named as the chair
man, and Major C. @. Taliaferro as
vice chairman.
Mr.. Miller in his address before the
Veterans, said:
Il have seen thousands Of you
marching, but this isthe fret time |
have had the honor to appear before
this camp of veterans, and | trust the
camp will take some part IN the cere-
monies We propose carrying out.
In 1881 | was in the town Of
Sharpsburg, Md, and there called on
lady friend of mine, Miss Julia b.
Grove. saw letter framed, aud
noted it was written by Gen. I. j.
Jackson and dated on the day of the
battle of Sharpsburg. 1t was add
dressed to Miss Fairfield. | enqulr-
ed as to the history OF the letter. She
told me that on the morning OF the
battle, while it vas raging she was
informed that General Jackson was
without a breakfast, and hastily fix
ing up breakfast. she sent 1t out 10
him. After eating it General jack
son said be must thank the lady for
it, bat as he didn't know her name,
be must make name for her, AMI
inasmuoh as it was received from a
fair lady, and on the field Of battle,
he would call her Miss Fairfield.
"The incident didn't pass from my
mind, so when we recently reorganiz'
ed the camp of the Sons in this city,
l wrote Miss Jalis and stated that
while knew it would be great sac.
rlice on her part to give up the let
ter, it would not be the first sacrifice
she had made for the ConfederacY,
and | wanted her to send me the let
ter to go from the Albert Sydney
Johnson Camp to be sent to Rich.
mond, Va, for the Confederate Mu-
scum. She wrote me she would glad
ly do SO, but she had given it TO her
nephew. Ny letter was to him,
aud he agreed to loan it to US for a
time.
at occurred to me, that while we
knew Jackson as a thunferbolt Of
war, this letter revealed him in a
light that was new; at least, that |
had never looked upon him, and that
10, as tender hearted gentleman.
In the midst Of the bloody battle, still
be did not forget his duty as gem
tleman, to acknowledge the courtesy
extended to bin by lady, and !
think this letter would beof peculiar
interest to all that fought under the
stars and bars.
ALBERT Sydney Johnston Camp
has appointed committee to. go 70
Richmond and deposit this letter IN
the museum. Ibave the letter. think.
ing it would be Of interest to the vet
Grams who fought under him; il il
due them that they have the first
sight Of this letter that has never been
published, and trust that they will
appoint committee in conjunction
With US to 20 to Richmond and de.
post what | consider priceless ,Ou.
venir or relic Of that great and able
man.
The letter:
ashsrpsburg. September 10Th, 1852.
Mis- Fairfield:
II have received nice breakfast
for which am inde 1ted " your kind
ness Please accepf my grateful ap
probation u your hospitality.
Very sincerely yours,
4 II IaCRao~ -