The sun., 1916-12-17
SOME NEW BOOKS.
The Letters Of StonewaI1 Jackson
Of the Southern Coufederacy.

tho war with Mexico and the civil war
constitute the bulk Of Early Life aud
Letters Of General Thomas J. Jackson,
"Stonewall" jackson, by his nephew,
THOMAS JACKSON ARNOLD (Revell). This
period OF the Confederate Generals
life II the one Of which least Is made
in the numerous biographical writings
Of which he In the subject. and Mr..
Arnold's collection Of letters reveals
abundant reason for the proportional
allotment OF space. The book u Of
uneven merit, through no fault Of its
maker. but as q result of the nature
Of the facts which he records consecu-
lively and with a minimum Of editorial
comment and explanation.
The editor dlsciaims all literary pur-
pose; his whole nee IL with the
faots of his distinguished uncle's
career. Tho letters are truly interest
Ing where they show Jackson at West
Point and soldering in Mexico. The
later letters are AZ unmilitary as 4
seedsman's catalogue. As a whole
tho volume adds something TO our
knowledge Of an Interesting life and
corfects n or two errors: errors
which are not. indeed. Of great i'm
p~ovtance. but might a. we'll be Get
right. In the interest Of strict histori.
cal accuracy. Mr.. Arnold emphasizes
the Importance Of seemingly unim.
poCeant Incidents when he shows how
bic uncls's disappointing failure to
secure . p~rofessorship in the Univer-
saty. Of virginia prevented observation
NJ Aia N1afSn a. unl1ttsr~p x~nuslA-A~>
when the civil war began. These let.
tiers Of stonewall jackson set before
W. with Photographic detail the un-
warlike disposition and the simple
occupations Of a man who. % many
years AFTER serving calamity in n
war for his united country. contributed
his Intelligence and courage to the
cause Of his seeding section Of Il.
Col. Henderson and some other
SoeOraphers OF the Confederate Gen.
seal have expressed surprise at the
virtues and piety Of his maturity, con-
sedering his surroundings In youth. But
hiS nephew corrects the idea that In
the COS and SOS the part Of Virginia
that became the State Of West Vir-
6inia was wild" He attributes the
0i~sconception to that belief In ad-
vancement which makes people think
their morals and manners better than
those OF their grandparents. Court
records OF the early days report indict-
ments and imprisonments for offences
such as invoked Puritan punishment
IN New England. Specified offences
are the carrying Of corn to the mill on
M Sabbath. card playing and use Of
nrofane language In public places.
That Jackson's character developed
early Is shown by his being appointed
Ct the age OF 1s by the County Court
q Lewis county to the ONCE Of con-
sable for his "maSisterial district"
His piety was unaffected, but, like his
vaietudinarianism. In these letters its
constant expression IL rather tiresome,
however II reveals the man.
In 1Sl2 Jackson got his appointment
to the United States Military Acad-
envy; he was then IS. His academic
Dreparation was Of the poorest. and In
me nrst year he stood No. 81 In a class
Of ssventy-two. In the second year he
ranked thirtieth In his class; in his
third year twentieth, and at gradua.
49, "S WS0 A~Os y III - ClaSS OF WnO99
nembsrs sixty received diplomas. It
Was aid at the Point that II the course
were n year longer Jackson would
b SURF to lead his class. Those who
efe familiar with the quality of West
Point discipline will, appreciate also
the measure OF application to the bust.
ness OF getting a military education
shown by the young Southerner who
went through his four years course
with only forty-eight dement's. As a
teacher and later as q commander
0tonewall Jackson was a rood deal OF
. martinez; but II must at least be said
for him that he disciplined himself a.
eeerniy and rigidly a. he did others.
while q cadet he wrote: II intend to
remain In the army no longer than /
can get rid Of II with honor, and means
to commence some professional bust.
Aess at home" But In 1851 he said:
1T 10 doubtful whether I shall re-
linQuish the military profession, a. I
am very partial to It."
Christened Thomas. jackson as
stunned the middle name OF Jonathan,
And this act may possibly be explained
~ this sentence In ono Of his letters
70 his sister: you will please direct
your subsequent letters to Thos. ].
Jackson. for there 10 some dificulty in
obtaining them from the post ONCE on
account Of another cadets name being
Thos. X. Jackson"
From camp near Vera Cruz, March
~. lS%7. he wrote: 1T would have az
forded me much pleasure to have been
with h gallant and victorious Gen.
Taylor ct the battle Of Buena Vista, in
which he has acquired laureIs as i'm
perishable a. the history which shall
record tho invasion Of Mexico by our
victorious armies" In May Of the
Same year no writes. most character
isttcally: Notwithstanding my pres
emit situation ! have some hope Of get
ting forward by and by. when more
troops get in from the States. But all
this 10 with Gen. Scott. I throw my
self into the hands of an all wise God
and hope that II may yet be for the
better. II may have been one of His
means Of diminishing my excessive
ambition: and after having accom-
piished His purpose. whatever It may
be. He then In His infinite wisdom may
crafty my DESIRE" He got plenty of
action later. acquitted himself gallant.
ly in the field and won recognition ana
promotions.
Mr.. Arnold. son Of the sister to
whom Jackson wrote so faithfully and
a6~ectonately through many years,
tells . story Of one OF the soldiers ad-
ventures In tho period following the
Mexican a when he was stationed