GENERAL THOMAS JONATHAN JACKSON.

CHAPTER I.

The Farmer-lad.-His Journey on Foot to Washington.-Seek, and it may be Found: Persevere, and it may be Obtained.--Struggles of Early Life.-The Young Lieutenant at Chapultepec.-The Bold General at Manassas,-"Stonewall" Jackson. His Parentage, Education, and Peculiar Qualities of Mind.-His Military Career.-Appointed Professor in the Military Institute.-An Attempt to Murder him.— His First and Second Marriage.-Joins the Service of his Native State.-In Command at Harper's Ferry.-Engagement with the Union troops.-Made a Brigadier-general. -Jackson in the Fight.-General Bee.-Arrival of Kirby Smith.-Jackson's Farewell to his Brigade.-Ordered to the Shenandoah.--Characteristics of General Jackson.Winter Campaign.-Fearful March over the Mountains.-Romney Occupied.-General Banks in the Shenandoah valley.-Engagements at Kernstown.

ONE day, in the year 1841, a lad, seventeen years old, might have been seen wending his way, on foot, towards the great city of Washington, the seat of government of the United States. There was nothing particularly striking about this lad, except, perchance, a stolidity of expression upon his countenance, and, rather than otherwise, a want of those marked features of vivacity and intelligence, generally so characteristic of the youthful American. Indeed, he would have seemed to be rather a dull and ungainly lad, than a bright one. But, there was evidently a stubbornness of purpose about him, as he plodded along on his way, that showed a dogged pertinacity in his will as to whatsoever he had set his mind upon. Plain in appearance and indifferently dressed, it was clear that his life had not been passed amidst city scenes, or in polished society. There was nothing courtly or refined about him, beyond the simple manners nature herself teaches. And whatever he was, or whatever he might become, assuredly to himself alone did and would belong all the credit due.

We have said this lad was on his way, a-foot, towards Washington; and now we must add, that, having an irresistible desire to enter upon a military career, he was bent upon trying

to see if he could not, possibly, get an appointment as a cadet at West Point. But, what had he to help him in procuring such an appointment? In those days it was not easily obtained, and, especially, it needed some influential or prominent introduction. Had he got this, then, that solitary youth plodding along the highway? Had he wealthy friends, or relatives of political note? Was he linked to any of the old established families of the land? No, reader! Not one of these things, or any thing else save perhaps some political friends to help him along, had he: but he had energy, perseverance, a strong heart, and, even young as he was, a firm belief that what he wished for would be. In other words, he was a believer in the doctrine of predestination, and hence his desires, he conceived, would be granted, because his desires were just exactly what might occur, whether for good or for evil. A stern fatalist, he was a passive, though ready worker in the hands of destiny.

Still, it was necessary that some human means should be found to aid his inclinations. Were these, then, to be found? Let us see.

The lad himself was, as we have said, about seventeen years old, and, at the time we introduce him, had just left a farm, where, first as a laboring boy, then as something of assistant manager, he had been working for all the past period of his life. An orphan, dependent in his childhood upon a paterna. uncle, with whom he had ever since remained honorably earning his bread, the early lessons received by him were those of poverty, though at the same time of honest ennobling labor. Yet, at his birth there might have been hopes far different. His father had been a lawyer at Clarksburg, in West Virginia; his grandfather, a surveyor of the county in which he resided, and represented it in the Legislature. But when this lad was only three years old his father died, and, through some previous unfortunate circumstances, left this youngest child, with an elder brother and two sisters, completely penniless. His uncle took the orphan to his home, where, as we have seen, he remained for the next fifteen years. During this time the boy worked hard: in summer, always in the fieldin winter, devoting all spare hours to school, where he gained the rudiments of a plain education. Conscientious in the dis

charge of his duties,-grave and seriously disposed, he was noted for his industry, intelligence, and probity. Indeed, it is believed he was, when only sixteen, elected constable of the county, in consequence of his remarkable high qualities of mind and conduct.

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At length he determined to enter upon a new career. military life seemed to be that which was, to his nature, mest inviting; and with promises, from political friends, of kindly aid to pave the way in his first movement-John Tyler, of Virginia, at that time being president-this lad started on foot, to try if his object could be accomplished. Did he succeed, that sturdy farmer lad? We shall see.

There is, in Mexico, and close to the great city itself, a very strongly fortified place called Chapultepec. It is a natural and isolated mound of great elevation, and, at the time we are about to refer, contained the military college of the republic, with a large number of sub-lieutenants and other students. The works about this place were of great magnitude; and, in fact, it was the key on the west side to the city of Mexico, and to get possession of the latter, it was necessary to capture the former. Now, in the month of September, 1847, a gallant army of Americans, under the leadership of General Scott, was engaged in vigorously assaulting this place, prior to the great victory they soon obtained, both there and in the capital of the Montezumas itself. Among the bold assailants, there was one officer holding a lieutenant's commission in a field-battery. This officer was in charge of one section of artillery in the advance. He was cool, self-possessed, and seemingly in utter indifference to the storm of shot and shell which came pouring down from the besieged. There, with unflinching nerve, he stood his ground, only moving forward, when he moved at all. At length, an order to charge was given by the general in command. The lieutenant promptly prepared to obey, but his men, appalled by the terrible fire poured upon them, hesitated, and remained under cover. Seeing this, without a moment's hesitation, the young officer stepped into the exposed road, and said, "See, my men: there is no danger. Follow me!"

Chapultepec was taken; and among the many heroic inci

dents of that day, September 13th this one of the bold hen tenant has been recorded.

Fourteen years after the preceding occurrence, there is another battlefield we must cast our eye upon, but, this time, it is at our own doors. Friend to friend, brother with brothersons born of the same flag-contend for mastery, and fierce, most deadly fierce, is the strife! Already has the carnage been dreadful! Heaps of slain cover the ground, and the whiz of shell and shot seems as if complete annihilation to every man and beast upon that blood-stained field must ensue. Yet, cool, calm, stern, and self-collected, one man sits upon a charger as though he were a mere spectator at a review! On a rising ground, which commands a full view of the battle, at that time fearfully grand, his keen glittering eye takes in the whole scene, as he remains there apparently insensible to all. For a moment or two, let us take a closer glance at this strange man, so seemingly immobile amidst such terrible strife; let us approach him and examine his appearance. See! He is evidently a powerful man, and, when erect on foot, must be some five feet ten inches high, rather thick-set, with a full chest, broad stalwart shoulders, but somewhat clumsy looking. His face is slightly bronzed, but showing the picture of health, and denoting a mixture of several qualities that might puzzle one to say which was most predominant. Raising his hat, the broad forehead indicates clearness of intellect, courage, self-command, perseverance, and indomitable will. His cyes express a singular union of mildness, energy, and concentration; his cheek and nose are both long and well formed. In his dress, simplicity is characteristic,-a common suit of gray, faded cassimere, but just sufficiently braided to show his rank is that of a general. On his horse, he has a most unmilitary appearance. The stirrups are short-his knees are cramped up, with his heels stuck out behind, and his chin, now and again, falls drooping on his breast. But his eye, that piercing, eagle eye, when looking on the field, even at the very time he so droops his head, tells of the man, and at once proclaims him a true hero. And now mark his every motion. See! The troops on his own side are evidently overpowered! Appalled at the fierceness of an heroic attack made

upon the hill on which they are stationed, they gradually fall back, and seem as if about to fly. Yet, still he sits, calm, immovable, and like a statue. His orders had been given;

he waits for one decisive moment to effect another movement; and his presence thus to the brave soldiers who know him well, acts as a charm to stay their flight. Who then is he, that thus so strangely appears amidst such a wild and terrible scene? Listen, and observe.

An officer of rank, dashing furiously up, amid the fiercest of the fight, approaches him. "General," said he, "they are beating us back! We're obliged to give ground!" For a second or so, the general looks at the officer, but his stern, silent face betrays no answering emotion. The keen eye glitters for a moment; then a speaking animation spreads across his features his lips open; and in curt, peculiar tones, he replies, "Aye, sir? Well, then, we must give them the bayonet!" The gallant officer-himself meeting his death immediately afterwards-gathers new inspiration from his words. He gallops back to the remnant of his command, and, pointing to the statue-like general, says to his men, "Look! there is JACKSON, standing like a stone wall. Come! Let us conquer or die! Follow me!"

Yes! that strange, apparently immobile general, was the now well-known heroic Thomas J. Jackson, thenceforth called by the term here applied to him, "Stonewall" Jackson,*the same calm, sturdy, energetic being who, as a lad, walked his way, twenty years before, to Washington for the appointment he obtained as a cadet to West Point, and who, as the young lieutenant at Chapultepec, encouraged his men onward by personally showing them the road, heedless of the danger!

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*The above is the currently received idea of Jackson's receiving the name of Stonewall affixed to his own. But it has been asserted, with some good evidence, that the soubriquet of "Stonewall" originally came from his brigade, which was so called because principally recruited in a stone-wall country-the valley counties of Jefferson, Frederick, Page, and Warren. The brigade bore this name before the battle of Bull Run, and thus lent its name to its stout leader-not derived it from him—and Jackson, even in his last hours, was particular in explaining to those around him, that the title belonged to his men, and not to him.