Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-06-19
JACKSON'S WAR RECORD
Col. r. P. Chew Makes Stirring
Address Today

Virginia Military Institute, Col. r.
P. Chew. OF Stuart's Horse Artillery,
said, in part:
We are here today to witness the
unwilling of a monument TO CON-
memorate the great character and
deeds Of General Thomas Jonathan
Jackson. When we come to talk Of
"Stonewall" Jackson, we treat OF a
character SIS remarkable as any in
all history. AS the war progressed
in the short period Of two years
this great soldier advanced to the
front rank of the great captains OF
modern times, and after his death
was esteemed by competent military
authorities in England, one of the
FIVE greatest Generals OF the Eng
disappearing race-Wellingtou,
Washington, Marlborough, Lee,
jackson.
My first acquaintance with Gener-
al Jackson commenced in 1859, hen
l entered the V. NJ. i. l recited to
General Jackson and saw hiN daily
from September. 1860. to April,
1861. He appeared to me at that
time a calm and determined man,
giving his whole thought and at
teption TO the matter before him.
He was not what you would call
graceful man, but he was a very
good looking person. Never during
all my acquaintance with him did |
ever see him laugh, though / have
seen him often with a delightful
smile upon his face.
Colonel Chew recounted Jackson S
career in the Mexican war. and
said that be came out with a reputa-
ton second to that of no young Off
Ger; and the taste OF battle he had
bad there, doubtless spurred his
ambition to higher achievement, if
opportunity should offer. In 1851,
after the termination of hostilities,
be spent several months in the City
OF Mexico. 1t is said these were
very pleasant months to him, and
that be came near falling in love
with beautiful senorits.
Colonel Chew gave an exhaustive
review of General Jackson's Valley
campaigns, in which be displayed
such remarkable military genius,
and struck terror to the enemy on
many fields. His brigade consisted
OF the End Virginia. Colonel Allan
the 4th Virginia. Colonel Preston
the 5th Virginia, Colonel Harper
the 9th Virginia, Colonel Echols
aud the 33rd Virginia, Colonel Cum
mings. The Rockbridge Battery
commanded by Rev. DR.. Pendleton
was also attached to this brigade.
large majority OF the men OF thi
brigade we're born and reared il
the Shenandoah Valley, and 1istin
guished themselves in almost al
the battles in Virginia; and no bod,
OF men in any war ever won a great
or reputation for courage, and 70
skill 10 battle.
; AS General Jackson was riding OF
the march around General HoOke
at Charlottesville, he turned Il
General Munford and said: "Th
: V. NJ. 1. will be heard from today.
His divisions we're largely command
ed by graduates OF the Institute
and many subordinate commander
were there. Wherever they serve'
throughout the armies OF the South
; their conduct on the battlefield wa
such as to do honor TO this great in
. stitutioD, and lend fresh and add
tional lustre to the name and tn
? fame OF the American soldier. o.
{ May Is, 1864. the corps CT cadet
, from the Institute immortalize
r themselves on the field OF Ne,
Market. Alligning under fire, the
assembled the eminence on whic
the Federals were posted, as thong
o on dress parade. and with mary,
p lous decision and courage, charge
Q into the midst Of their line, captul
:, ing battery and putting their foe
IL to flight. Who can doubt that tn
q example OF Jackson furnished the
d inspiration in this attack, unsu
passed for dash and dauntle.