The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-31
Voice Of the People
Jackson a. a. soldier s.r mr.,


10 the Editor of The Times DISPATCH.
Sir-1 read with great interest Miss
Mary Johnston's last novel, ..The Long
heIl and enjoyed equally as we'll hoT
a1inirable answer to her critics. to
whom she replied with truth, force and
nlrectness, Her succinct answer to
mem was fine, and, In my belief. was
LUZ OF truth. and she laid on the lash
NJ, IN becoming moderation not forget
ms TO take care of her book by reitcr-
nunB nor opinion of General Jacsson's
Ice character which is what the
public wants.
iahd lie was mighty genius. of
Mhoin we are proud. Ills so-called de-
s sISts "nre . part Of his greatness. and
should ,r not be concealed. His unforgiv-
1nu whist som. of his treatment To-
othels seemed unk!nd and harsh, he
m ,,iW mat he who Numbered once
might blundcr twice.
thlikc his last great CHIEF he ala
uot POSSESS general talents, but nos
sessed a military genius of the Ea
b TO hon TYPE type. and he gave that genius
anything to stand in the way of sue
GeSS, lie was Incapable of Individual
LaNoritisin, and treated men as ii they
Wcrc only pieces of machinery
General jackson was at hi. hes, on
Sranu tactics and offensive warfare.
t fH ne been In command OF The Con.
a teuerate army at the battle OF Manas-
enemy had been routed. he would have
toi!owed them into Washington When
freSldent Davis agreed with his gen
erals TO rest on their victory. he Savo
away the South's greatest opportunity
INC victory, had been ali accident. Like
az the battle Of Alma, gcnerulship had
. Tfheh greatly wanting on both sides
me Prince Mentschikoff, who COM
inanded the Russians, had left his gaps
unSuhrGed. and the allied English and
arsnch won the battle of Alma by the
energetic valor of their line officers
ana common soldiers, who fell pell-
neil upon their enemy and rous,d
'hcm without the aid of gencralship.
~ the nrst Manassas Mcdowell the
OF General Scott. who had planned his
attack, "utgeneraled Beauregard and
johnston r"n2slon III gaining position on the
o ,.'!1l.t' left flank. but failed to
iedcrate line of defense, as he could
nave easily done whilst the Confed
crates were looking out for an enemy
where there were none. but instead he
tPyed with his enemy by ibringing into
action two batteries TO give them no
,ticc, ana sent only n small part OF
able to roll up the Confedcrates. az
could nave been done in quick time
and energy
Again, like at Alma. where III.
allies failed to pursue their routed
enemy whom they could have can
tured or destroyed at the Katcha River
ana perhaps have ended their war, the
Conrederates failed to make an effec.
tive pursuit Of the Federals who could
nave been driven through Washington
FOR we all know that Mr.. Lincoln
made preparations To evacuatc that
city.
Had Jackson commanded the Confed-
crate army at that time Washington
W y"mid ny, haye been been taken. Maryland
oont ederacy; and the Nag of our coun-
try would have been planted beyond
the bounds Of slavery.
NJ nrst MIR. Davis favored defensive
war. and waited for the North to raise,
equip and make soldiers of her mil
Lions of men.
The writer followed General Jack
cainPaisn. and afterward to his death.
and had good opportunities TO Judge
OF his worth and character.
IN the spring of 1863 the battalion 10
Nhich he belonged was stationed near
est 10 the generals headquarters, and
the officers of Ii were invited on sun
.hy mornings 10 attend prayers. l of
ten attended. The general PRAYED and
always prayed to God TO give MS the
victory in every battle and In every
SNifmiSh, and to teach those people to
iict ,s alone His religion seemed to
be OF the ansterc kind and did not
appear TO make him glad. General j. f.
Is. stuart had perhaps as much, but
or different Kind. that kept him
'"PGS anu gay, ana General X. IL, Lee
carried his very quietly and with
Sre1t modesty and good faith Many OF
nuf oiIccls and men were honest good
thriHiians. but Miss Mary Johnston has
mate n" mistake In her estimate of
profanity In the Confederate army.
rs for General Jackson's religious
iaith, never had DOUBT; in fact, | do
not believe that ~ doubt with regard
l" ever crossed his mind
know nothing of his domentic Iifo
but would have believed bin un-
lifted Cor personal friendships but for
mis- great toEdncas for General Dick
TaNior, FOR whom lie seemed To have
had very great fondness. 1T might
hiNe been that General Taylor charm
Ell him with his fascinating CONVEX
snttcn, 10 which nc was addicted
The soldters OF an army do not
come in contact with their generals
but they know them well, and measure
their worth. As a whole. they are
much better Judges than the officers
NO general OF the Confederate army
ever met such greetings as the SOL
diers save 10 General Jackson. Whilst
the brlgadiers and colonies In the
valley OF virginia we're retrea,inr i'm
front OF Fremont they were dcno1nc-
lnS him as IAN old fool" but ,yhenever
and wherever the soldiers snw hin,
thcy lifted their caps. and their wells
could be heard for miles such was
nc confidence OF his soldiers thai 81
retreat dld not deinoraliZe thor, ~
h.asl hn