Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1914-08-27
"stonewaIrs" Most Important Order.

Perhaps the most important order that
"StonewalP Jackson ever issued-cer-
tainly the most vital to himself-is not in
the official war records. The order was
given in person by Jackson to Northern
artillery officer as he stood, in full uni
form, ready for battle beside his gun,
and-strangest of all was at once ex-
ecuted by him, with the result that the
battle was lost by the Union arms.
1t was on spring morning in 1862,
just before the Battle OF Port Republic.
Jackson, in advance of his troops, with
only single escort, galloped across the
bridge over the Shenandoah River into
the town, which stood on the east bank.
Learning that the army OF General Shields
was still good many miles away, and
confident that his own troops would be
in possession long before the enemy, he
rode to a residence at the farther end OF
the village, where he spent nearly an
hour.
But meantime the energetic Shields
whom Jackson later declared to be his
most formidable opponent-had thrust
forward small, swift column to occupy
Port Republic, seize the bridge, and halt
Jackson's advance. SO rapidly did il
move that il gained both objects without
firing a shot. More than that, Jackson
was a prisoner-if anyone had known it
Jackson, in utter ignorance OF the dis
astrous change, mounted his horse, ard
ambled down the main street to the
bridge. What was his aStoniShment to
see groups OF Soldiers-in blue !-buSily
moving TO and fro about the brIdgehead,
and throwing up intrenchmentS and for
tifications. Planted on a little knoll that
commanded the bridge and its approach
es, was a formidable field gun
Fortunately for Jackson, the recent
campaigns up and down the valley had
faded both blue and gray uniforms into
nondescrlpt drab. AS Jackson sat on his
horse and watched the busy scene, he
formed his plan swiftly. He could not
60 back; he must cross that bridge that
was his only chance. II was the frown
ing field gun that he feared. He must
put If out of commission long enough to
get beyond its range. Throwing up his
hand TO attract attention, he shouted to
the officer in command OF the gun:
"What are you doing with that gun up
there? ! didn't order it there, and
don't want it there /" There was author
ity and petulance in his voice as he add
ed, climber up, and run it over on that
knob over thereP
The officer at the gun thinking that he
had TO deal with some superior officer
recently arrived, haStened TO obey with
out question, explaining in self-defense
that he had understood his orders other
wise.
Sitting on Little Sorrel while the Fed
eral troops worked buSily about him,
Jackson calmly waited until the gun was
numbering off TO its new position. Then
he rode quietly across the bridge, and up
the other bank until he was well out OF
musket range. Then he turned, waved
his hand 10 the astonished FederalS, and,
putting spurs to his horse, galloped away
from the rain OF bullets that pattered
harmlessly in the rear.
Had he been captured, the Confederate
victory at Port Republic which he won
few hours later would not have happen
ed; the able and energetic Shields would
have defeated his troops, stunned by his
Iocc