STONEWALL " JACKSON. (From the Sacramento Week Union.)

Otago Witness, Issue 570, 1 November 1862, Page 6

STONEWALL " JAC KSON. (From the Sacramento Week Union.)

A Martinsburg correspondent relates several : ltertsting 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 ran<:flcations. Socially and politically their status has always been hi/h, eveain aristoen-lic Virginia, and it w r as this advantage, perhaps, which sa\cd our hero from neglect when he was turned upon the world a very poor young orphan; lor it w:i- by fairly influence, exerted in behalf of hit, intellectual and moral promise, that he wa& made a West Point cadet at the age of seventeen. It was his own cousin, Judge Jackson, of the United States Court, who skedaddled f-om Winchester last month on the approach of Thomas Jefferson, recently petrified into " Stonewall." His pertinacity W 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 of his district, urging the claims of Jackson to a cadetship at West Point Academy. After some delay at the Capital, his application was successful, and. with his commission iv his ppeket, he travelled on foot all the way from the Capital to West Point, there to receive the rudiments of the science of Stonewall.

lie was graduated with high honours in the same class with M'Olell-in, just as tlie Mexican Avar 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 his outer man, he looks at least seven years older than he is — his height about five feet ten inches ; his figure thick-set, squareshouldered, and decidedly clumsy; his gait very 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 ladies describe as absent minded. A lady who had known him long and well, has told me that she never saw him on horsehaek without laughing — short stirsups, knees cramped up, heels stuck out behind, and chin on his breast— a# most unmilitary phenomenon. In society he is quiet 'hut 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 that a man of such exemplary modesty, and yet of such intense religious enthusiasm and indomitable firmness, miibt possess those moral elements which, combined with his military education and experience, should constitute a great general. Their opposition served to postpone a decision, and the motion was held under consideration. Meantime the people of the Valley got wind of the affair, and with a great cry of indignation and threats so assailed -the powers at .Richmond that the question was dropped " like a hot potato." It was about this time that Jackson sent to Richmond his rebcl-famoii3 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 lour weeks he has inarched three hundred and fifty miles, and won four victories ; that he has crippled or dispersed the forces of Milroy and Sheuck at McDowell, Banks at Front Royal and Winchester, Fremont at Cross Keys, and Shields

at Port Republic ; that he holds McDowell in check to take care of Washington and Maryland, nirl monopoli.-c, for the amusement of the world, the attention of six distinguished 1 generals. When lately he fell back to Winchester from pursuing Banks, he said to the people there : j " When we left you hist March we promised to letuni. and here we aiv. Now, with much ! more confidence, we promise to return again, and soon. Only be prudent and patient." And to the women: "When the Union troops come iv again, as they will, do n )t forget yourselves." Jusl as lam about closing this I get a f'-esh and interesting anecdote of this fighting elder : The surgeon of one of the Indiana regiments and two of his brother officers wore captured by ii party of A^hby's cavalry, and taken before Jackson. Immediiteiy on hearing their names, he said : "It wus you, gentlemen, who lately saved the property of a dear friend of mine in the valley from the fury of your own men. 1 I thank you. Have 3on any means of tiansportation buck to your regiment V" " We have not, General." lie then gave them horses, an escort, and ; 100 dollars, and then courteously dismissed them on their parole. This is authentic. I have it from one of the captured officers, whose names I am not at ; liberty to mention.