Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-11-16
Stonewall Jackson Sense Of Humor.

In " Things and Thoughts, pub
lished at Winchester, Va, DR.. James
r. 81 aham relates in charming STYLE,
Some "reminiscences of Stonewal
jackson" who. with Mrs. Jackson,
found home with DR.. Graham during
the first winter of the war. Showing
General Jackson's appreciation Of the
humorous. DR.. Graham tells the follow
ing story:
Early one afternoon he brought to
me stranger of imposing appearance
Rev. DIR. Kay, a Presbyterian minis
ter from LoLdon-wh had come
through the lines, and presented him
self at headquarters with letters Of in
production. The General, evidently.
did not know what to do with his guest !;
but we provided for his entertainment,
and he remained in town for a fort
night or more, preaching twice in my
church. He was man of singular at
fractions; highly educated, quick wit
ted, versatile, of rare accomplishments
as scholar, and of charming eloquence
as preacher; but the object of his
visit TO the Confederacy remains q
mystery to me- His address and con-
versation were SO fascinating that the
General spent theremainder of the day
with us. The Doctor, who had just
arrived from England, had encountered
frightful storm in mid-ocean, and his
description Of the peril in which his
ship-The Great Eastern-was placed,
and their marvellous rescue, after rolling
and tossing helplessly for three days,
at the mercy of wave and tempest.
was as graphic and thrilling as any
thing ever read from the pen Of Vic
tor Hugo. While we were still under
der the spell of this exciting narrative,
he struck different view. Beginning
with a compliment to the bravery and
skill Of the Confederate troops at Bull
Run, and paying graceful, but delicate
tribute is the General himself. he told,
| in strain of inimltable drollery, of the
auandary in which he was thrown by the.
name Bull Rum" when. he first heard
it. It was in London, the morning af-
ter the battle, He had left home some
what late, to meet an important en-
gagement. Upon a h Ing T b c
Strand, through which his course lay,
! his ears we're greeted with the cry Of
The newsooys, "Great Battle Rebel
Victory-B Bull Run - As he noticesi
that every boy was crying Bull Run, =
he asked himself, what does this
mean why mention circumstance 50
Insignificant? What has the running of
| i bull to do with great battle Surely
Et5is was some nonsense of the news
lays !" But glancing at the bulletin,
is he hurriedly past . newspaper build
ing, his eyes caught on the board in
large letters. the same words Great
Battle Bull Rum This increased
his perplexity, and. as he quickent d
his pace the puzzling question would
repeat itself. Why did the bull run J?
and what possible connection could
there be between his running and the
progress or issue Of the fight His own
answer to his question was, the battle
was fought where herd was feeding,
the cattle were stalnpeded, and the
lord Of the herd distinguished himself
by some peculiar running perhaps, BY
rushing into the Federal ranks. and
th,reby producing sudden kanic and
flight. Relieved by this happy solution
he cheerfully pursued his way, till re
aiizing its utter inadequancy, he, in
bis desperation, and regardless now of
his engagement, wheeled about to OBJ
tain paper md have this perplexing
matter set finally at rest But in
another moment. he paused in amaze
mcnt at his own gross stupidity in not
perceiving from the first, the truth
that was now 80 obvious that Bull was
the name of the Federal commander,
who. when his army was defeated, ran
-or, as the bows, with their usual dis
regard OF grammar. put it run En- s
tirely satisfied with this most simple
and natural explanation. he met his APP
pointment, and quietly returned to his
home. This droll recital. made thor
oughly realistic by the Doctors superb
elocution and matchless acting. took
powerful bold of the General. He evil
IDENTIFY meant at first to receive it
pleasantly. but impassively. But the
drollery of the story was irresistible,
and under the charm and magic Of it
he became weak as other men. The
merry twinkle Of his eye was soon fol
lowed BY broad smile. and that BY an
out and ont laugh: and before the
story was finished. the General Com I;
harding was holding his sides. as /
nearly cOnvulsed IS was possible for q /
man of his seriousness and self control
70 Be. =