Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/162

 158 If we are asked: "What was the secret of Jackson's hold upon and command over the affections and cheerful obedience of his soldiers?" the answer, which will be confirmed by any who served under him and knew him well in war, is, that he won the confidence and love of his soldiers by his intelligent attention to providing for the wants, and, as far as consistent with the arduous service which he exacted of them, for the comfort and welfare of his soldiers; by his sharing with them any hardships which he called upon them to endure; by the sleepless, tireless, and sometimes fierce and inexorable energy with which he conducted the movements which he directed against the enemy, and by the skilful and brilliant strategy with which he outgeneraled his opponents and surprised both friend and foe. A very brief service under him convinced his soldiers that "Old Jack knew what he was about" and was a consummate Master of the Art of War.

But it was upon the field of battle that he made the deepest impression upon his men. There was then that in his presence, his personality, and his bearing, a lighting up of his countenance with a glorious enthusiasm that seemed to almost transfigure his usually placid features, which inspired his soldiers with something of his own heroic and indomitable purpose to triumph. He then seemed to be the very incarnation of righteous and glorious war.

It was, in no small measure, the inspiration of his potential personality which impelled the brigade which was honored by his leadership and affections to deeds of valor which have enshrined its name in history with that of its immortal commander, and given the "Stonewall Brigade" some right to live through coming ages along with the Macedonian Phalanx of Alexander, the Tenth Legion of Caesar, the Paladins of Charlemagne, the Ironsides of Cromwell, and the Old Guard of Napoleon.

No one can carefully study the story of Jackson's life, as sweetly told by his devoted wife, or by his friend and comrade in arms, Rev. Doctor and Major R. L. Dabney, or as