Again the General broke out with, “You did say you had done as much as any man.” And the Captain replied, “I did not say so.”
Thus the quarrel went on, and finally Stuart ordered White to go back to Loudoun and watch for a flanking force of the enemy expected by way of Dranesville, or Fairfax C. H., from Washington. But White refused to go, saying he would go see Gen. Lee.
“Come on,” said Stuart, “I’ll go with you.” And the two proceeded at once to Army Headquarters. Arrived there, Gen. S. passed in, and White saw that Gen. Jackson was also there.
Gen. Lee met White at the door and asked him his business, when the Captain replied, “I want to see you, sir.” “Very well,” said the General, "just wait a little while and I’ll see you."
Pretty soon General Jackson came out and approached White, who was walking in front of Headquarters, and actually so much excited over what he considered the injustice of Gen. Stuart, that he was crying.
“Stonewall” asked him his difficulty, and was told that Stuart wanted to send him back to Loudoun, and he didn’t want to go. The General appeared surprised, and remarked, “Why, I just heard Gen. Stuart tell Gen. Lee that you desired to be sent back, and recommended that it be done.”
At this the Captain tried to tell Gen. Jackson that it was not so, but before he could explain, his feelings so overcame him that he completely choked down and could not say anything.
Presently, Gen. Jackson said, “Capt. White, I think I can understand your feelings, for I was once situated just as you are now. During the Mexican war I was ordered to the rear just as a battle was about to take place, and I knew of no reason why I should be so unjustly treated; but I obeyed, and it so happened that by doing so I had an opportunity to acquire distinction that I never could have had in front. And Captain, my advice to you is to obey orders, no matter how unjust they may be. We are poor, short-sighted creatures at best, and in the very thing that seems hardest for us to bear, Providence may have hidden a rich blessing for us. Go, Captain, and obey orders.”
White says he knew Gen. Jackson was too good a man for him to talk to, and consequently he made no reply. But Gen. Stuart now came out and calling him to his side said, “Capt. White, did you say you was a Marylander?” “Yes, sir,” said White. “Ah!” said the General, "I didn’t know that. Gen. Lee wants you. Go in and see him."
As may be supposed, the Captain lost no time in appearing in the presence of the Commanding General, and his orders were to scout towards Harper’s Ferry and report to Gen. Lee. This meant that for the present he was free from the spite of Stuart, and he at once commenced his scout, learning of the condition of affairs about Harper’s Ferry, and gathering much valuable information; without, however, being required to engage the enemy.