In tribute to the anniversary of the birthday of Gen. Thomas J.
"Stonewall" Jackson, here is a brief excerpt from The Life of Lieut. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson by his chaplain, Rev. Robert Lewis
Dabney (1868):
"But it was on the battle-field that his prayerful
spirit was most impressively displayed. More than
once, as one of his favourite brigades was rushing past
him into action, he was seen erect upon his saddle,
his hand uplifted as the column swept silently by
into the very hurricane of war. Some who observed
him thought he was abstracted; but there were those
who, watching him more narrowly, noted the closed eyes
and moving lips, and knew what it meant. Solemn
thoughts of his own responsibility; of his country's
crisis; of the fate of the brave men he commanded;
of the widows and orphans who would be left to
weep; of the peril of precious blood; and of the
condition and destiny of more precious souls; —
crowded tumultuously into his soul. "Out of the
depths" he cried. So Moses on the Mount of God
upheld the host and prayed down the arms of Amalek !
Such is the comparison that has been instituted, and
it is by no means inapt."
Here are some highlights of Jackson's life:
Born - January 21, 1824 in
Clarksburg, (West) Virginia. Orphaned at an early age and raised by an uncle. Graduate: U.S. Military Academy at West Point New York, Class of1846. Service -Mexican War; professor, Virginia Military Institute; War
For Southern Independence; First Battle of Manassas, Shenandoah
Valley Campaign; Seven Days Battles; Second Manassas; Sharpsburg;
Frederiksburg; Mortally wounded at
Chancellorsville and died May 10, 1863.
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