Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-10-20
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lN the rush Of victory. Such
was Jackson's faith in God and
himself, he inspired not only his
own men with the certainty of
victory. but the entire confeder-
aey felt sure of ultimate triumph
while he was in the field. No warrior
was even worshiped by his people as
was this Soldier Saint of the Lost
Cause. While he lived and fought the
people of the south saw in him the
incarnation of Gods justice struggling
for them. When the wound which was
inadvertently given by his own men
at Charlottesville terminated fatally,
the news came as a chilling shock to
southern hopes. The history Of mod
ern times affords no parallel to the
deep sorrow that throbbed in the
hearts of the confederate people when
jackson died. Those who had never
seen his face wept for him as for their
nearest kindred. They began to real
lie that with him removed their cause
was doomed. AS one of the leaders
declared when he heard the news of
Jackson's death, God has deserted us,
else he would not have taken Jack
son"
In being so bowed down with grief
at J%ackson's loss, it must not be I'M
derstood that they loved Robert e,
Lee and their other generals less, for
to the first named at least, their devo-
ton amounted to idolatry, but there
was something in Jackson that the
Others did not possess which appealed
to the people of the south, and gave
them a sublime confidence. This was
the reflection Of his absolute faith
that the hand of Providence was
guiding him or.
tChristened "~StonewalI" al Manassas.
Stonewall Jackson, as every school
boy knows, was plain Thomas ]. Jack
son until in the battle of Manassas
when the day seemed to be going
against the southern forces, Gen. Bee
rode up to Jackson and in despair
exclaimed: 'They are beating US
back" and Jackson replied: "Then we
will give them the bayonet." Catching
the inspiration of Jackson's indomit-
able will, Bee galloped back to his
command and shouted: "There Is
jackson standing like a stone wall.
Rally behind the Virginians. Follow
me" Gen. Bee charged at the head
'of his men, and in a little while fell
tmortally wounded with his face to the
front. From that time Jackson was
known as "Stonewall," and his com.
wall brigade.
Stonewall Jackson's ancestors haG
lived in Maryland and Virginia fol-
more than 100 years and were o.
~IScotch-Irish descent. They we're al
honest, G%od-fearing people, and they
were of fighting blood, taking a con
,spicuous part, first in the Indian
troubles, and her in the revolution
airy war.
Not Robust In Boyhood.
The boy who was to become
one of the greatest military command
ers the world has ever known, wa
born in 1924 in Clarksburg among tn,
beautiful mountains of what was the1
Virginia, and now West Virginia. H
was left an orphan at an early ag
by the death of his father, and hi
mother being unable to support hin
he lived with an uncle, through who's
kindness he was given the benefit Q
the best schools Of those times. Will
out showing any special aptness as
scholar, he by perseverance mastere
whatever he undertook, and throug
hard study learned his lessons vel
Like all geniuses Of war he excelled 1
mathematics. AS a boy he was nc
strong physically, and In his earl
years suffered a partial paralysis
which later disappeared through tn
strenuous exercises at the militar
academy.
Served as County Constable.
Partly for the healthful outdoc
work that the Office would Civ
and partly to obtain funds to aid |
his further education, he secured tn
appointment as constable in his di
{trtct. He was under age at the tim
but was In such general favor that 4
one raised the question as to the lega
iity of the court appointing a minor I
the office. He performed the dutie
lof this place with industry and fide
ity, though the kind of people he we
ithrown in contact with officially, wei
mot such as to aid In the developme1
tof character.
AS he approached manhood h
did not display that sober, ser
ous nature that afterwards dom
mated him. The capitalization
Everything he did, and his rule
making every act of his life a r
ligious act came later. At this tin
he was little different from otht
young men in attending horse race
house raisings and country dance
His truthfuiness and aggressive no
lesty remained untarnished from chill
hood. He was always modest, sci
reliant and full of dignity and cou
gtesy.
Success In Mexican War.
At the age Of IS he obtained
West Point cadetship and entere
that institution. His literary educ
lion had not been thorough, and l
progressed with difficulty. In the e
nminations which closed the first ha
years novitiate, he came within
fraction Of failing. He steadily IL
proved, however, through his earne
application and untiring perseverance
land graduated at the age Of %,
1915, seventeenth in a class Of abol
r't"~~rH psGus