Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War Part 32

Whether the n.o.bler side of Jackson's character had a share in creating the confidence which his soldiers already placed in him must be matter of conjecture. It was well known in the ranks that he was superior to the frailties of human nature; that he was as thorough a Christian as he was a soldier; that he feared the world as little as he did the enemy.* (* His devout habits were no secret in the camp.

Jim, most faithful of servants, declared that he could always tell when there was going to be a battle. "The general," he said, "is a great man for prayin'. He pray night and morning--all times. But when I see him git up several times in the night, an' go off an' pray, den I know there is goin' to be somethin' to pay, an' I go right away and pack his haversack!") In all things he was consistent; his sincerity was as clear as the noonday sun, and his faith as firmly rooted as the Ma.s.sanuttons. Publicly and privately, in official dispatches and in ordinary conversation, the success of his army was ascribed to the Almighty. Every victory, as soon as opportunity offered, was followed by the order: "The chaplains will hold divine service in their respective regiments." "The General Commanding," ran the order after Winchester, "would warmly express to the officers and men under his command his joy in their achievements, and his thanks for their brilliant gallantry in action, and their patient obedience under the hards.h.i.+ps of forced marches, often more painful to the brave soldier than the danger of battle. The explanation of the severe exertions to which the commanding general called the army, which were endured by them with such cheerful confidence in him, is now given in the victory of yesterday. He receives this proof of their confidence in the past with pride and grat.i.tude, and asks only a similar confidence in the future.

"But his chief duty of to-day and that of the army is to recognise devoutly the hand of a protecting Providence in the brilliant successes of the last three days (which have given us the results of a great victory without great losses), and to make the oblation of our thanks to G.o.d for His service to us and our country in heartfelt acts of religious wors.h.i.+p. For this purpose the troops will remain in camp to-day, suspending, as far as possible, all military exercises; and the chaplains of regiments will hold divine service in their several charges at 4 o'clock P.M."* (* Dabney volume 2 pages 114-5.)

Whenever it was possible Sunday was always set apart for a day of rest; and the claims of the day were seldom altogether disregarded.*

(* "Sometimes," says Major Hotchkiss, "Jackson would keep two or three Sundays running, so as to make up arrears, and balance the account!") On the morning of Cross Keys it is related that a large portion of Elzey's brigade were at service, and that the crash of the enemy's artillery interrupted the "thirdly" of the chaplain's sermon.

It has been sometimes a.s.serted that Jackson was of the same type as the saints militant who followed Cromwell, who, when they were not slaughtering their enemies, would expound the harsh tenets of their unlovely creed to the grim circle of belted Ironsides. He has been described as taking the lead at religious meetings, as distributing tracts from tent to tent, as acting as aide-de-camp to his chaplains, and as consigning to perdition all those "whose doxy was not his doxy."

Nothing is further from the truth. "His views of each denomination,"

says his wife, "had been obtained from itself, not from its opponents. Hence he could see excellences in all. Even of the Roman Catholic Church he had a much more favourable impression than most Protestants, and he fraternised with all Evangelical denominations.

During a visit to New York, one Sabbath morning, we chanced to find ourselves at the door of an Episcopal Church at the hour of wors.h.i.+p.

He proposed that we should enter; and as it was a day for the celebration of the Communion, he remained for that service, and it was with the utmost reverence and solemnity that he walked up the chancel and knelt to receive the elements."

Jackson, then, was by no means imbued with the belief that the Presbyterian was the one true Church, and that all others were in error. Nor did he attempt, in the very slightest degree, to usurp the functions of his chaplains. Although he invariably went to sleep during their sermons, he was deeply interested in their endeavours, and gave them all the a.s.sistance in his power. But he no more thought of taking their duties on himself than of interfering with the treatment of the men in hospital. He spoke no "words in season," even to his intimates. He had no "message" for them. Where religion was concerned, so long as duly qualified instructors were available, he conceived it his business to listen and not to teach. Morning and evening prayers were the rule at his headquarters, but if any of his staff chose to remain absent, the general made no remark. Yet all suspicion of indifference to vice was effectually removed. Nothing ungenerous or unclean was said in his presence without incurring his displeasure, always unmistakably expressed, and although he made no parade of his piety he was far too manly to hide it.

Yet he was never a prominent figure at the camp services. Rather than occupy a conspicuous place he would seat himself amongst the privates; and the only share he took in directing the proceedings was to beckon men to the seats that respect had left empty beside him.

Those who picture him as an enthusiastic fanatic, invading, like the Puritan dragoons, the pulpits of the chaplains, and leading the devotions of his troops with the same fervour that he displayed in battle, have utterly misread his character. The humblest soldier in the Confederate army was not more modest and una.s.suming than Stonewall Jackson.

NOTE

The Federal strength at M'Dowell.

Fremont's return of April 30 is as follows:-- Milroy's Brigade 4,807 Schenck's Brigade 3,335

of May 10:-- Milroy 3,694 Schenck 3,335

of May 31:-- Milroy 2,914 Schenck 3,335

Schenck reports that the total force ENGAGED at M'Dowell was 1768 of Milroy's brigade, and about 500 of his own, total 2268; and that he himself brought to M'Dowell 1800 infantry, a battery, and 250 cavalry--say, 1600 men.

Milroy's command may fairly be estimated at 3500; Schenck brought 1600 men; there were therefore available for action at M'Dowell 5100 Federals.

Fremont's strength at Cross Keys.

The return of May 31 gives:--13,520 officers and men.

Fremont, in his report of the battle, says that on May 29 he had over 11,000 men, which, deducting guards, garrisons, working parties and stragglers, were reduced to 10,500 combatants at Cross Keys.

But he does not include in this last estimate Bayard's cavalry, which joined him at Strasburg.

On May 31 Bayard had 1844 officers and men; he had suffered some loss in fighting Ashby, and his strength at the battle may be put down as 1750.

All garrisons, guards and working parties are included in the Confederate numbers, so they should be added to the Federal estimate.

We may fairly say, then, that at Cross Keys the following troops were available:--

Fremont 11,000 Bayard 1,750 ------ Total 12,750 ------

Strength of the Federals, May 17-25.

On April 30 Banks' "effective" numbers were as follows:--

Donnelly's Brigade 2,747 Gordon's Brigade 3,005 Artillery (26 guns) 492 Cavalry (General Hatch) 2,834 Body-guard 70 ----- 9,148 -----

On May 23 he had:--

At Strasburg: Infantry 4,476 Cavalry 2,600 Artillery (18 guns) 350 At Front Royal, Buckton, etc. 1,300 Bodyguard 70

From the Harper's Ferry Garrison:--

At Strasburg: Cavalry 800 At Winchester: Infantry 856 Cavalry 600 ------ 10,552 ------

On May 31, after losing 2019 men at Front Royal and Winchester, he had, the Harper's Ferry troops having been added to his command:--

Infantry 5,124 Cavalry 3,230 Artillery (l6 guns) 286 Miscellaneous 82 ------ 8,722 Add 2,019 ------ 10,741 ------

10,500 effectives on May 23 is therefore a fair estimate.

Geary's 2000 at Rectortown, as they were acting under Mr. Stanton's orders, have not been included.

END OF VOLUME 1.

CONTENTS Of VOLUME 2.

2.13. THE SEVEN DAYS. GAINES' MILL.

2.14. THE SEVEN DAYS. FRAYSER'S FARM AND MALVERN HILL.

2.15. CEDAR RUN.

2.16. GROVETON AND THE SECOND MANa.s.sAS.

2.17. THE SECOND MANa.s.sAS (CONTINUED).

2.18. HARPER'S FERRY

2.19. SHARPSBURG.

2.20. FREDERICKSBURG.

2.21. THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.

2.22. WINTER QUARTERS.

2.23. CHANCELLORSVILLE.

2.24. CHANCELLORSVILLE (CONTINUED).