Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/327

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Appendix.
323


MRS. "STONEWALL" JACKSON.




By James Power Smith, General Jackson's Staff.




Mrs. Mary Anna Jackson, the honored widow of General "Stonewall" Jackson, came to the close of a long, faithful and happy life in her home in Charlotte, N. C, on Wednesday, March 24, 1915.

She was a gentlewoman by birth and nature, a lady of simplicity of character and cheerfulness of spirit, and most amiable and pleasing- manner. Modest and unaffected, she was cordial and considerate toward all with whom she came in contact. Small in stature and well rounded in form, she was in striking contrast with the erect and soldierly man whose bride she became in her youth, and whose home and life she made so happy in the few years of married life given to them. She became the wife of Major Jackson of the Virginia Military Institute in 1857. She remembered with amusement that when they were married the bridegroom was asked to promise that he would be an "indulgent husband" and the bride was told to be "an obedient wife," and the vows were kept without a shade of question or hesitation, and to the unmingled happiness of both. The stern and disciplined soldier was gentle indulgence itself, and the happy wife at his side was most happy in the strong-willed, heroic man whom she loved, admired and trusted supremely.

In the trying days of war she came to him whenever in his judgment conditions and duties permitted. During the last winter of his life, when his command was encamped in the Rappahannock Valley, one of his major-generals, an incorrigible old bachelor, complained that there were too many ladies visiting their husbands in the vicinity of the camp, and asked that they