“During the battle of Cold Harbor,” relates one of Jackson’s men, “as we were taking back some prisoners, one of them said: ‘You think that you are doing great things here, but I tell you we are whipping “Old Jack” in the Valley like smoke.’ ‘Well, maybe you are,’ said I, ‘being as “Old Jack” is here. You’ve been fighting his men all day.’”
Just then, Jackson rode by with his staff. “There’s our General,” said I; “now, how much are you whipping us in the Valley?” The man looked dazed, and said, “Well, my stars, if that ain’t ‘Old Jack!’”
Indeed, the feats of Jackson had now made him famous. Not only his own people, but strangers from Europe made visits to the camp to see the great general and his men.
During these months of rest, Jackson enjoyed greatly the visits of General Stuart, who made the mess merry with his jokes and gay laughter. He also made the acquaintance of little six-year-old Jane Corbin, who lived near by in the big house.
Every evening when the work of the day was over, she would run across to see the General, who would always have some little present for her. One evening, having no other gift for her, he ripped off the one band of gold braid from around his new cap, and placed it upon her sunny brow.
This lovely child lived only a few months thereafter. The very day on which General Jackson left Moss Neck in the spring, little Jane was seized with scarlet-fever and died after being ill only one day. General Jackson mourned greatly for his little friend. About the same time he heard of the illness of his own baby daughter, whom he had never seen.
He had never had a furlough since leaving Lexington, and in April, since he could not visit his dear ones, they came to him. He found a quiet home for his wife near by, and great was his pleasure in nursing and caressing his little daughter. He gave her his mother’s name—Julia.
General Jackson crowning Jane Corbin.
During the winter, at Moss Neck, the piety of General Jackson seemed ever to increase. His chief thought was to live for the glory of God. He often worshiped with his men in the log church which they had built in the forest, and toiled early and late for their welfare.