Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-02-01
shepherdstown Jefferson County, Virginia Thursday February 1912
stonewaII yaekson,s Sense of ttumor.

Stonewall Jackson's Sense of Humor.
In Things and Thoughts, published
at Winchester, Va, DR. James R. Graham
relates tn charming style "Some Remi-
niscences of Stonewall Jackson" who,
with Mrs. Jackson, found a home with
DR.. Graham during the first winter of the
war. Showing General Jackson's ap-
probation of the humorous, DR.. Graham
tells the following story:
"Early one afternoon he brought to me
stranger OF imposing appearance-Rev.
DIR. Kay, Presbyterian minister from
London-who had come through the lines,
and presented himself at headquarters
with letters Sofintroduction. The General
evidently did not know what to do with
his guest; but we provided for his enter
tainment, and he remained in town for
fortnight or more, preaching twice in my
church. He was man of singular al
fractions; highly educated, quick-witted,
versatile, of rare accomplishments as a
scholar, and OF charming eloquence as
preacher; but the object OF his visit to
the Confederacy remains a mystery TO
me. His address and conversation were
so fascinating that the General spent the
remainder of the day with us. The Doc
tor, who had just arrived from England,
had encountered trighttul storm in mid
ocean, and his description of the peril in
which his shlp-The Great EaStern-was
placed, and their marvellous rescue, after
rolling and tossing helpleSSly Tor three
days, at the mercy of wave and tempest,
was as graphic and thrilling as anything
ever read from the pen OF Victor Hugo.
While we were still under the spell
of this exciting narrative, he struck dif-
ferent view. Beginning with a compli-
ment to the bravery and skill OF the Con-
tederate troops at Bull Run, and paying
grateful bul delicate tribute TO The General
himself, he told, in strain OF inlmltaole
drollery of the quandary in which he was
thrown by the name Bull Run" when
he first heard it. 1t was in London, the
morning after the battle. He had LEFT
home somewhat late, to meet an lmpor-
tant engagement. Upon reaching the
strand, through which his course lay, his
ears were greeted with the cry OF the
newsboyS, Great BauIe-Reoel Victory
Bull Run 7 As he noticed that every
boy was crying Bull Run, he asked HIM
self what does this mean-why mention
a circumstance so insignificant :? What
has the running Of 0ull 10 do with great
oallle2 Surely this was some nonsense
OF the newSboyS! ! But gianclng at the
bulletins, aS he hurrledly passed news
paper building, his eyes caught on the
board in large letters, the Same words,
Great Battle-Bul Rum This increased
his perplexity, and, as he quIckened his
pace, the puzzllng question would repeat
ITSELF Why Gid lne oull run2 and what
possible connection could there be De-
tween his running and the progress OTIS
sue OF the light HIS own answer TO
this question was, the battle was fought
where the herd was feedlng-the cattle
were s;dmpeded, and the loru OF the herd
distinguished himself by some peculiar
runnlng-perldpS, by rushing into the
Federal ranks, and thereby producing a
sudden panic and flight. Relieved oy
this happy solution he cheerfully pursued
his way, Til realizing ITS utter lnadequdcy,
he. IN desperation, and regardless now OF
his engagement, wheeled about 10 OBTAIN
a paper and have this perplexIng matter
set finally at rest. But, IN another mo-
ment, he paused IN dnldZement dl his own
gross STUPIDITY IN moi perceIvlng from the
nrSt, the truth that was now so OBVIOUS
that Bull was the name OF the Federal
commander, who, when his army was
defeated, ran-or dS the boys, with their
usual disregard OF grammar, put II run.
entirely satisfied win TINS most smpe
dHu HdlIi al "a pldhohiNht III hiSA hAS SP
polntment anu quietly returned 10 his
nome. TINS droL recital, made thor
oushly realistic by the Doctors superb
eiocuuon and mdtcnleSS aching, look pow
erful hold on the General. he evidently
Meant al nrst lo receive II pleasantly, Out
mpdsSVely. buI the droiiery OF the
story was irreSIsuole, and under the
charm and magic vi II lie 'oecdme weak
dS oIner men,. lhe merry twinkle oil his
eye was Soon followed By orodd SmIie,
anu lndI by dill ouI and out laugh; anu
oeiorr the story Was finished, the Uen-
erdl Commanding was hOldlns his sldeS,
dS nedry CONFUSED dS was possible Ior
man oi his seriousness anu Sell control tu
lI,rnt1g1 l.r0o IlrocC