Mrs. T. J. Jackson in 1899.
He liked to have his friends visit him, and nowhere else was he so easy and happy as with his guests at his own table.
In his home, military sternness left his brow and the law of love took its place.
This story is told of him, which shows how gentle and tender a soldier may be. “Once a friend, who was taking his little four-year-old girl on a journey without her mother, called on the way to spend the night with Major Jackson. At bed-time, when Mrs. Jackson wished to take the child to her room for the night, the father replied that his little one would give less trouble if he kept her with him. In the still watches of the night, he heard a soft step, and felt a hand laid upon his bed. It was Major Jackson, who, fearing that the little girl would toss off the covering, had come to see that all was safe.”
This good and peaceful life at Lexington was short. The black cloud of war was hovering over our land and ere long the storm burst in great fury, sweeping Major Jackson away from his quiet life, his professorial duties, and his loved wife and friends, into the midst of carnage and death, and to deeds that made his fame world-wide and immortal.
Major Jackson had but one more duty to perform as a professor and officer of the Virginia Military Institute. He had been left in charge of the corps of cadets when the superintendent had been called to Richmond. Early on the morning of Sunday, April 21st, 1861, an order was received by Major Jackson from Governor John Letcher, directing him to leave with his command for Richmond at 12:30 P. M. that day. Major Jackson’s arrangements were promptly made, and he sent a request to his pastor, good Dr. White, to come to the Institute and hold religious services for the young men prior to their departure. These services were held in front of the barracks. The battalion was drawn up in line of battle, Major Jackson at the head and venerable Dr. White in the front and center. All, with bowed heads, were devoutly listening to the invocations speeding heavenward. The clock in the Institute tower gave the signal for departure, and, without a moment’s pause, Jackson took up the line of march and left his beloved pastor praying.
The key-note of his great success as a soldier was prompt obedience to orders and requiring the same of others.
Me-mo′ri-al, something designed to keep in remembrance a person, place, or event. Fac′ul-ty, the body of instructors in a school. Prof-es-so′ri-al, pertaining to a professor. Coat-ee′ (cō-tē′), a short military coat. Con′sci-en′-tious, governed by conscience. Ŏb′sti-na-cy, stubbornness.