Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-06-19
STONEWALL JACKSON
Stories of the Intrepid Confed-
crate Commander.
WHEN HE BLUSHED AND FLED

Hio Retreat In Dlsmay From an Army
Of Admitting Womon-Tho Only Man
Who Could Put tho General to Sleep.
His Heroic Reply to Leo.
Among many other Incidents In the
career of General Stonewall Jackson,
writer in the Sunday Magazine tells of
an occasion when the intrepid com
mnnder was entirely routed by the en-
cmy--nn army of ndmlrlng women who
from his coat locks of hair or other
souvenirs. AS he backed, blushing,
away he declared REALLY, ladies', this
is the first time was ever surrounded
by the enemy" And In confusion and
lismny no made good his retreat OF
the other stories told of tho general
we quote n few
lie was never m ornamental soldier,
being roughly clad and so plain as to
be frequently taken for far less than
he was. lie and his staff were once
compelled to ride through n field OF
uncut oats. The owner rushed out in
great Indignation, demanding the name
of the leader that he might report him.
"My name is Jackson" replied the
general.
"Whnt JaclSson?" asked the irate
farmer.
General Jackson"
"You don't mean to tell me that you
are the famous Stoncwall Jaclison?"
the farmer stammcred.
| "Tlmts what they call me-"
The farmer took of his hat with
great reverence and snid: General
Jackson. ride over my whole field. Do
what you ike with It, sir"
He was II man of unusual religious
devotion. but would always go to sleep
in church Perhaps II was because the
church service was tho only thing he
could depend upon To so right along
IL lie did not keep awake 10 watch It,
His friends said that IL was because
of weakness resulting from his cxer-
lions In the Mexican war. When he
was teaching ut the institute he was i'll.
and all efforts failed TO secure for him
nights rest. One of his friends in
| attendance suggested that the Rev. DIR.
| White be called in. as he was the only
one who was ever able to put jackson
J to sleep. In spite of this defection
however. DR.. White and his famous
parishloner were fast friends to the
end
His men said OF him that he always
marched ut daybrenk. except when he
, started the night before. Tho celebrity
of his movements gavc his division the
name of ''Jackson's foot cavalry" One
OF his men said:
Moses took forty yenrs to get the
Isrnelltes through the wilderness. with
mama furnished all the way, but Old
Jack would have double quicked it
through on half ratlons In three days
ut The most"
Military leaders have usually ap-
proved the policy OF subsistlng on the
! encmy's country. but 1t was LEFT for
| Stoncwnll Jackson to make the enemy
himself the purvcyor of supplies. The
I federal General Banks became known
/ as Jacksons commlssnry general. and
| when his column was sent to turn Off
/ into the valley the report would go out
/ Lee is out OF rations again and has
sent Jackson 80 call on his commissary
general"
! Jackson was like flnt-cold. impas-
sive. still. In time OF peace. But at
| the sharp. swift stroke of military ne
cesslty the spark of his genius flew out
! and burst into flame that swept away
/ all obstacles. When General Ewell
was asked what he thought of Jack
| sons gencrnlshlp In the valley cam
! paign he replied:
when lie began 1t thought him
crazy. Before he got through thought
him inspired"
Before the end OF the campaign Jack
son had his men brought Into spirit
like his own. Tho division reached n
deep stream where the bridge had been
burned. He sent for an engineer corps
and also for some carpenters among
his own soldiers. The engineers at
once set TO work TO prepare plans. but
two hours later the head carpenter
appeared and reported. 1.-The bridge is
finished, general. aud we can go on,
but them air pictur's amt come yet"
The soldier may need religion as
much as or more than any one else,
but. as rule. the tnbernacles of the
| Lord are not spread on the tented field
of the warrior. stonewall Jackson.
however. was an exception. He never
failed to invoke the Prince of Peace
to preside over his battle. Old jim.
his faithful servant. eaid:
de genial Is de creates man TO-
! prayin night an mornin' an all times
But when sees him git up sev'al
times In de night besides an start in
prayin' knows dar's gwine ter be
scmp'n up, an l so straight an pack
his haversack. case I know he'll be
CALM fer 1t 'fo' daylight"
1t was fitting that he who found his
Life on the hnttleflnld shnuId find thoro