command was moved one day on Berryville, and it seemed very evident that they were about to ford the Shenandoah, and cross the mountains to join Lee.
Captain Smith went to his general and said: "As we are going to cross the mountains, general, I should like very much to ride back to Winchester to attend to some matters of importance to me personally, if you can give me a permit."
"Certainly I will give you the permit." was the reply, "and if we cross the mountains you will be able to overtake us tomorrow."
Captain Smith rode into Winchester, and started early the next morning to overtake, as he supposed, the moving column. He had only ridden several miles when he met Jackson at the head of his corps moving back to Winchester, and was greeted by the salutation, "I suppose Mr. Smith that you are on your way to cross the mountains."
It was then currently believed that Jackson would spend the winter in the Valley, with headquarters at Winchester, and a vacant house was selected for the general and his staff. After a day or two, Captain Smith and Colonel Pendleton, as a committee of the staff, waited on the general, and said: "As it is understood that we are to spend the winter here, we called to ask permission to get some necessary furniture."
"That would add very much to our comfort, but I think we had better wait until to-morrow, and decide definitely on what we need," was the reply. The next day Jackson started on his famous march to join Lee in time for the battle of First Fredericksburg.
Secrecy was a strong element in his character as a soldier.
Third. His stern discipline was another important element in Jackson's character as a soldier. He put General Garnett under arrest at Kernstown for ordering a retreat of his brigade when they were out of ammunition, and almost surrounded, saying, "He ought to have held his position with the bayonet."
Garnett was still under arrest when Jackson died, when General Lee released him, and put him in command of one of Pickett's Brigades, the gallant gentleman being killed in the charge at Gettysburg; while leading his men.
On the Valley campaign I chanced to witness a scene in which
