Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/117

 Stonewall Jackson at Prayer. Ill

Norton, whereas Lieutenant-Colonel Frank H. Langley was in com- mand. Captain William O. Fry is stated as commander of the Seventh Virginia, which should be changed to Colonel C. C. Flow- erree. The Third Virginia is also included in the brigade, whereas this regiment was on detached service at Washington, N. C.

C. T. L.

[From the Louisville Courier-Journal, October 19, 1891.]

STONEWALL JACKSON AT PRAYER.

Probably there was never a more impressive tribute paid to Chris- tianity than that by General John Echols in his "Stonewall Jackson Address" last Tuesday evening before the Confederate Association of Kentucky. Bishop Dudley, Bishop Penick, Dr. Broadus, Dr. Jones, the Rev. J. G. Minnigerode, and other ministers of the gos- pel in the great audience were visibly affected when, after the thrill- ing recital of General Jackson's matchless movements in the Valley of Virginia, throughout the forty days during which he marched four hundred miles, fought five pitched battles, defeated five great gene- rals, captured four thousand prisoners, and closed the war in the Shenandoah Valley for months, General Echols, referring to the death of Ashby and the tender emotion exhibited by Stonewall Jack- son, paused, and speaking of frequent prayer as a characteristic of Jackson, said slowly :

"There is a weakness among young men in regard to praying. They do not care to let men know that they kneel and pray ; some even thinking praying a sign of cowardice. There is nothing greater than thus getting hold of God. Remember Jackson, of whom it can be said, ' There lies a man who never feared the face of man.' He was constant in prayer. Men may scoff as they will, but there comes the time when every knee shall bow. Stonewall Jackson went through the war attributing all his victories to God. He had abso- lute dependence on an overruling providence. What could over- come such a character ? A distinguished Virginia minister, Rev. Mr. Hullihen, has just furnished me this historical letter in regard to General Ewell and Stonewall Jackson :

"October 10, 1891. '"General JOHN ECHOLS :

" ''Dear General: 'Twas in connection with General Ewell' s con- version to Christ, from his accidentally overhearing Jackson praying