The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1911-04-27
THE LAST OF JACKsoN's STAFF
Dr. Smith Talks About Great
Southern General

Wlnnso ooro, April 20. - Special:
Winnsboro has had as a guest for
few days one of the Souths schol-
arly and beloved men, DR.. James
Powers Smith, of Richmond. the on
ly surviving member of the staff
of Stonewall Jackson, who was here
at the invitation of the ladies OF
the John Bratton Chapter, Daugh-
ters OF Confederacy to address the
tew remaining veterans of the
county and to tell these of the
present generation of the deeds and
life of his great chieftain, Stone
wall Jackson
Here are given few OF DR..
smiths remarks: "Stonewall Jack
son was born at Clarksburg, now
| West Virginia. He had the discip-
at seven he was a homeless and or
phan boy. He had blue eyes of
! great gentleness, that grew fierce,
put intense and strong in the pas
sion of battle. He was erect and
soldierly in bearing with stride
that was long and firm. He was
humane, and felt deeply for those
In any distress. For the suffering
population in Fredericksburg, after
the bombardment and battle he
was great concerned. He issued
! of his command, and $4,000 pass
ed through my hands, for which I
have the receipts of the mayor of
| that town"
Speaking of being Christian
mere said: 1T was his own propo-
sltion to gather the negroes of Lex
lngton into a Sunday School, and
fer five or six years. and until he
was called to the field, he con-
Quoted it, and taught them with Il
fidelity and zeal that could not be
eXcelled. A church for the colored
people in the city of Roanoke in
stalled handsome memorial win
daw to the memory of Stonewall
Jackson, placed there by the great
ful devotion of the colored preach
er, who received his religious in
struction from Major Jackson His
religion was not only personal and
deVout, but practical and effective;
abounding in the work of the Lord
1t covered all his life.
Devoted Church Member.
AS church member he was al
ways in place. He asked his pas
tor that he be called to lead in
prayer. AS deacon nothing di-
x,erted him. In camp he had fam
lily prayer at his headquarters. He
attended preaching service of the
chaplains, and by example and eff
tort gave great aid to the chap
lainS. The influence of his religi-
Gus character was felt by all around
him and throughout his command.
Gen. Ewell, his successor, ascribed
his change of life and public pro-
iess'on to Jackson
Speaking of his soldierly quail
Ties he said: "As a general, he
took a broad, intelligent view of
the topography of the country, and
knew well his maps. He made care
ful estimates of the opposing gen.
eral and weighed his opportunity
and difficulties and what this man
would be likely to do. He mysti-
fled and deceived his enemy and
concealed matters from his gener-
ais and his staff"
Many tear was brought by his
telling feelingly of the wounding
of jackson at Charlottesville, and
his death later, saying in part: Il,
one OF the young aides, had been
directed to remain at the point
where the advance began, to keep
open communication with the flanks,
and convey certain orders to troops
and batteries coming up from the
rear. About 8 o'clock in the twi-
light, supposing my duty was
discharged at that point, | gathered
a few couriers and mounting a fine
black charger, left by some fleet
Ing officer, l went forward to find
Gen. Jackson. An aide of Gen. A.
+. Hills's told me Jackson was
wounded and squirting my horse in
TO sweeping gallop, l passed the
line of battle and few rods to
the front found the Generals horse
on the road to the left, and a rod
beyond a group of men caring for
wounded officer.
Found jackson Wounded.
'Leaping from the saddle found
Gen Jackson lying on the road
with his head on the breast of Gen.
A. p. Hill. In his extreme ardor to
press his own line on to Chancel-
lorsville he had reluctantly con-
sented that the reserve division of
A. P. Hill should be brought up
and placed in the front, and while
the line was in formation the Gen.
rode forward with two or three of
his staff and a number of signal
sergeants and couriers. He passed
swampy depression and began
the ascent of the hill toward Chan
cellorsville,, when he came upon
line OF the Federal infantry lying
on their arms, he was fired at by
one or two muskets, and then turn
ed and came back toward his line,
upon the South side of the road.
AS he came near the Confederate
line the left company, supposing
the approaching horsemen to be a
party of the enemy began firing
in front and two of the party fell
from their saddles. Spurring his
horse across the road he was met
by second volley from the right
company of Lanes North Carolina
brigade. Under this volley, when
but few rods from his troops,
the General received three balls at
the same instant. One penetrated