23 February 1865, Lincolnton, North Carolina, The mercurial General Johnston

Gen. Joseph E. Johnston
(1807-1891)

"...Isabella [Martin] and I were taking a walk. General Joseph E. Johnston joined us. He explained to us all of Lee and Stonewall Jackson's mistakes. He was radiant and joyful. We had nothing to say. How could we? He always impresses me with the feeling that all his sympathies are on the other side. Still, he was neither gruff nor rude today—as he can be when he chooses. He said he was very angry to be ordered to take command again. He might well be in a genuine rage. This on-and-offing is enough to bewilder the coolest head."

January 1865

"... And she picked up her last parcel—and as I followed her and stood at the gate, I cried:

'Stonewall—and Albert Sydney Johnston—death guards their fame. Thank God. They are safe in their graves.'"

Stonewall Jackson, in hindsight

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
(21 January 1824-10 May 1863)

"And now that they begin to see a few years more of Stonewall Jackson would have freed us from the yoke of the hateful Yankees, they deify him. They are so proud to have been one of the famous Stonewall brigade.
Like to be a brick from that wall.
But to be sure, it was bitter hard work to keep up with Stonewall Jackson, as all know full well who ever served with him. He gave his orders rapidly and distinctly and rode away. Never allowing answer or remonstrance.
'Look here. See that place. Take it.' When you failed, you were apt to be put under arrest. When you reported the place taken, he only said 'Good.'"

John Bell "Sam" Hood

"Nicknames. Buck asked John Darby scornfully, 'Do you think Mamie will marry you?' Striking a majestic attitude, he answers,
'Perseverentia omnia vincit.'
So Buck dubbed him P. V., and P. V. he was to us ever after.
The famous colonel of the Fourth Texas—by name John Bell Hood—him we called Sam, because his classmates at West Point did so still—cause unknown.
P. V. asked if he might bring his general—bragged of him extensively, said he had won his three stars &c under Stonewall's eye and that he was promoted by Stonewall's request.

John Bell "Sam" Hood
(1831-1879)

When he came, with his sad Quixotic face, the face of an old crusader who believed in his cause, his cross, his crown—we were not prepared for that type exactly as a beau idéal of wild Texans. Tall—thin—shy. Blue eyes and light hair, tawny beard and a vast amount of it covering the lower part of his face—an appearance of awkward strength. Someone said that great reserve of manner he carried into ladies' society. Mr Venable added he had often heard of the 'light of battle' shining in a man's eyes. He had seen it once. He carried him orders from General Lee and found [him] in the hottest of the fight. 'The man was transfigured. The fierce light of his eyes—I can never forget.'"

9 June 1862

"J.C. traced Stonewall's triumphal career on the map. He has defeated Frémont and taken all of his cannon. Now he is after Shields. The language of the telegram is vague—'Stonewall has taken plenty of prisoners.' Plenty, no doubt of it—enough to spare. We can't feed our own soldiers. How are we to feed prisoners?
A small fray at the Chickahominy. They tried to cross and did not make it out. They lost forty men—we lost two."

*Stonewall Jackson brought his brilliant Valley Campaign of Spring 1862 to a successful conclusion by defeating Frémont on June 8 and James Shields at Port Republic June 9.

24 July 1861, Richmond

"Here Mr Chesnut opened my door—and walked in. Of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh. I had to ask no questions. He gave me an account of the battle as he saw it.... Told what regiments he was sent to bring up. 

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson
(1824-1863)

He took orders to Colonel Jackson—whose regiment stood so stock-still under fire they were called a stone wall.* Also, they called Beauregard 'Engine' and Johnston 'Marlboro' (s'en va—en guerre.) Mr C rode with Lay's cavalry after the retreating enemy, in the pursuit, they following them until midnight. There then came such a rain—rain such as only known in semitropical lands."

*For this stand, Thomas Jonathan Jackson, a former West Pointer and instructor at Virginia Military Institute, received a promotion to brigadier general as well as his enduring nickname: "Stonewall."