Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/158

 152 Southern Historical Society Papers.

" Nothing at all, sir, at this time," replied the Texan. " Old Stone- wall says that we are to be know-nothings until after the next fight, and you shall not make me violate his orders."

Jackson smiled and passed on. Jackson's staff and his higher officers were frequently in as profound ignorance of his plans as the private soldiers.

I remember that General Ewell, second in command, remarked to his chief of staff in my hearing several days before we started from Port Republic on the march to Richmond, " We are being largely reinforced, and after resting here for a few days we will pro- ceed to beat up Banks' quarters again down about Strasburg and Winchester."

I remember that one day in the summer of 1862 General Ewell rode up to the house of Dr. J. L. Jones, near Gordonsville, and asked: " Doctor, will you please tell me where we are going to ?" " No, General," was the reply, " but I should like to ask you that, if it were a proper question." " It is a perfectly proper question to ask," replied the grim old soldier, " but I should like to see you get an answer. I pledge you my word that I do not know whether we are to march north, south, east, or west, or whether we are to march at all or not. General Jackson ordered me to have my division ready to march at early dawn ; they have been lying in the turnpike there ever since, and I have had no further orders. And that is about as much as I ever know about General Jackson's movements."

If I had the space I might illustrate this point at great length, but it must suffice now to say that Jackson kept his movements so secret from his own people that the enemy could not detect his plans, and that in some of his most brilliant and successful movements such as his march against Fremont, and then against Banks, his march to Seven Days Around Richmond, to Pope's rear at Second Manassas, and to Hooker's flank and rear at Chancellorsville the element of secrecy entered largely into his success.

Jackson was noted for the quickness with which he formed his de- cisions, and his crisp, epigramatic orders on the field of battle.

Thirty years ago, on the 2ist of July, which has been fitly chosen for the unveiling of his monument, Jackson won his first real laurels in the "War between the States," and from the plains of Manasas there sounded forth the first trumpet notes that were to fill the world with his fame.

He had led his brigade of heroic Virginians to the plateau near the Henry House, and formed his line of battle to stem the blue tor-