fighting under a rule which neither gave nor expected quarter, would be roused by the most powerful impulses to throw his whole soul into the

cause.

It was on the 2d of May that Virginia adopted the constitution of the Confederate States, transferring her troops and armaments to the Confederate Government, on the understanding that she should be defended, and her forces governed and paid. One of the earliest acts of the Government was to appoint General Joseph E. Johnston, as an officer of higher rank and greater experience, to the command at Harper's Ferry. When he arrived at that station Colonel Jackson at first declined to abdicate his functions, stating that he had been intrusted with them by General Lee, and that to him alone he could resign them. An unpleasant collision appeared imminent, but the mail arriving with an indirect recognition in Lee's own handwriting of the new commander, Jackson at once acquiesced with cheerful cordiality, remaining as a trusted subordinate and zealous supporter. The Virginia regiments were now constituted into the famous Stonewall Brigade, of which he was made commander. Of that brigade it may be stated that each of its leaders in succession has fallen in battle: Garnett, Winder, Baylor, and Paxton, rank in the fatal list; showing the kind of work demanded from it, and the nature of the fighting its first general taught it.

The events in connexion with the evacuation of

DISSATISFIED WITH GENERAL JOHNSTON.

93

Harper's Ferry are thus described by Jackson in a letter to his wife :

>

Tuesday, June 18.-On Sunday, by order of General Johnston, the entire force left Harper's Ferry, marched towards Winchester, passed through Charlestown, and halted for the night about two miles this side. The next morning we moved towards the enemy, and encamped for the night at Bunker's Hill. We were to have marched at sunrise, and I hoped that in the evening we should have engaged the enemy; but instead of doing so, General Johnston made some dispositions for receiving the enemy if he should attack us. When our

troops were marching on the enemy they were so inspirited as to forget the fatigue of the march. But when they were ordered to retire, their reluctance was manifested by their snail-like pace. I hope the general will do something soon."

Detractors might accuse him of jealousy in these comments on a commanding officer's proceedings; and even the charitable might suspect it. Jackson was evidently impatient of the measures adopted, and chafed against them.

His combination of military and deeply spiritual subjects is most striking. "I am very thankful to our kind Heavenly Father," he writes, "for having given me such a fine brigade. He does bless me beyond my expectations, and infinitely beyond my

deserts. I ought to be a devoted follower of the Redeemer."

On the 19th June he was sent with his brigade north of Martinsburg, to observe the enemy. His orders were to destroy the locomotives and carriages of the Baltimore Railroad there, which he did to the extent of forty engines and three hundred luggagetrucks. "It was a sad work," he writes, "but I had my orders, and my duty was to obey. If the cost of property could only have been expended in disseminating the gospel of the Prince of Peace, how much good might have been expected!"

And he meant this, and felt it; he didn't merely write it as an appropriate finish to the letter of a "serious" man.

On July 2, he first came to blows with the Federal army. Patterson had crossed the Potomac, and approached his encampment. The battle of Haine's Farm ensued, in which Jackson, with three hundred and eighty men, and one piece of artillery, was face to face with three thousand of the enemy, and an entire battery. It took the opposite side three hours to dislodge this little force, and cost them forty-five men. Jackson's loss, on the other hand, was two killed and ten wounded. His coolness, skill, and courage, and his care for his men, filled them with enthusiasm. From that hour his influence was established. For his service on this occasion he was recommended for promotion by General Lee, who had, however, been anticipated by the Confederate Government.

His

MADE A GENERAL.

95

commission as general was dated June 17, and attached him decisively to his favourite brigade. On the receipt of the intelligence his pen flowed in words of tenderest congratulation to his wife, and humble thanksgiving to his God.

CHAPTER VII.

BATTLE OF MANASSAS.

Ir was in consequence of his relation to the Confederate commanders on his right and left that Johnston removed from Harper's Ferry to Winchester, by that manoeuvre tempting General Patterson to Martinsburg, and thus facilitating communication with Beauregard and the main army.

The Manassa's Junction (named after an obscure Jew who settled there many years ago) has become a name of note in the history of this war. At a convenient distance from the Potomac, as a post of observation, it was naturally the key to North-Eastern Virginia. Whoever held it covered two railroads, one leading to Richmond, and the other into the heart of the Great Valley, the granary of the State.

The worth of this post will serve to explain the motives which led to the Bull Run combat. The Confederates were determined to defend the position, the Federals to obtain it.

On the 16th of July the hosts of General M'Dowell left their camp on the Potomac, and drove in the advance of Beauregard, from Fairfax Court House,