"STONEWALL" JACKSON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 318, 26 December 1862, Page 6

"STONEWALL" JACKSON.

(From the Sacramento Weekly Union.)

■ A Martinsburg correspondent relates several interesting incidents of General Thomas Jefferson Jackson, but generally known as " Stonewall" Jackson. We copy the following :—

His family, though, by-no means wealthy, was one of extensive and influential ramifications. Socially and politically their status has always been high, even in aristocratic Virginia, and it was this advantage, perhaps, which saved our hero from neglect when he was turned upon the world a very poor young orphan; for it was by family influence, exerted iv behalf of his intellectual and moral promise, that he was made a West Point cadet, at the age of sevunceen. It was his own cousin, Judge Jackson, of the United States Court, who skeddaddled from Winchester last month on the approach of Thomas Jefferson, recently petrified into '* Stonewall." His pertinacity in procuring his cadetship shows the man.. Being then a resident of Clarksburg, in Western Virginia, he walked from that place to Washington, bearing with him letters of recommendation to the Congressional representatives ol hs district, urging the claims of Jackson to a. cadetship at West Point Academy. After some delay at the capital, his application was acceded to, and, with his commission ia his pocket, he travelled on from the capital to West Point, there to receive the rudiments of the science of Stonewall. He was graduated with high honors in the same class with M'Clellan, just as the Mexican war broke out; immediately entered service with General Scott as a Brevet Lieutenant, and-was made full Lieutenant for gallant conduct in the memorable campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico. As for tuYouter man, he looks at least seven years older than he is—-his height about five feet ten inches —his figure thick-set, square-shouldered, and decidedly clumsy ; his gait v^ry awkward, stooping, and with long, strides. He often walks with his head somewhat on one side, and his eyes fixed upon the ground, imparting to his whole appearance that abstracted quality which young la.ik-8 describe as absent minded. A lady who had known him long and well, has told me that she never saw him on horseback without laughing—short stirrups, knees cramped up, heels stuck out behind, and chin on bis breast - a most unmilitary phenomenon. In society he is quiet but cheerful; not loquacious, but intelligent and shrewd; in religion, the bluest kind of a Presbyterian, and extremely strict in his Church observances. In Winchester he took a very active part in revivals, and habitually led the Union prayer-meetings. To illustrate the popularity of the man :—For some reason which has never been made public, the expediency of removing him from his command was at one time freely discussed in the Confederate Cabinet, and all but two members favored the motion. Those two argued tint a man of such exemplary modesty, and yet of such intense religious enthusiasm and indomitable firmness, must possess those moral elements which, combined with his military education and experience should constitute a great general. Their opposition served to postpone a derd^lm, and the motion, whs held under consideration.. Meantime th>; people of the Valley got wind of the affair, and with a great cry of iindig-nation and threats so assailed the powers at Richmond that t>ie question was dropped "like a hot. potato." It was about this time.that Jackson sent to Richmond his rebelfamous despatch, '" Send me more men and no orders, or more orders and no men." Such is the rebel Napoleon, for whom his people venture to claim that, in four weeks he hns marched three huundred and fifty miles, and won four victories; that he has crippled or dispersed the forces of Milroy and Shenck, at M'Dwell; Banks at Front Royal and Winchester ; Fremont at Cross Keys ; and'S^ields at Port Re public; that lie holds M'Dowell in check to take care of Washington "and Maryland, and monopolises, for the amusement of the world, the attention of six distinguished genera's. When lately he fell back to Winchester from pursuing Banks, he said to the people^ there : " When we left you last March, we promised to return, and here we are. Now, with much more confidence, we promise to return agaiu, and soon. Only be prudent and patient." And to the women : "When the Union troops come again, as they will, do not forget yourselves.'*