Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 22.djvu/176

 164 Southern. Historical Society Papers.

ress-like building, waiting for Jackson's appearance. After a time he came riding out through the gateway on the homely sorrel, which afterwards became almost as famous as its master. He had barely reached the head of the column, and, wheeling, stood facing the crowd, when, taking off his hat, he said in a low voice: ' Let us pray;' and then an aged minister of the town, Dr. White, raised his voice in prayer. When he had finished, Jackson faced his men, and in quick, sharp tones gave the order: ' Forward, march! ' and obeying his command, with Jackson at their head, they marched away. On reaching the top of the hill overlooking the town, they halted; their leader, turning, waved his hat to the people below; another movement, and they were gone.

LAID TO REST.

"Never again did the people of Lexington see Jackson until he was brought back and laid to rest in the old cemetery. In the days that followed I saw Jackson often; for the last time, just after the second battle of Manassas, early in September, 1862. I was then serving in the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, of Stuart's Division, my command being encamped in Prince William county, Va. I was sick at the time, but having been refused a furlough by General Stuart, I preferred remaining in camp to going to the hospital. At last a friend of mine appealed to General Jackson, who readily granted me leave of absence, and I went to my home in West Vir- ginia. My next tidings of Jackson were that he was dead."

RUFUS R. WILSON.