CENTREVILLE, Oct. 22d.
. . . I am going to tell you just where your esposo is
living for the present. Starting from Mr. Utterbach's on the Warrenton road
towards the battleground of Manassas, a street turns off to the right from the
Warrenton road. Following the street about one hundred yards brings you to a
large stone house, with four chimneys, on the right-hand side of the road.
Passing up a flight of steps of nearly eight feet brings you into the porch,
after crossing which you enter a hall about ten feet wide, and you have only to
come into the first door on your right if you wish to see your husband, seated
on the left of a hickory fire, on the opposite side of the room, writing to his
sweetheart, or to his esposita, whichever you may choose to call her.
Looking around the room, you will see upon the mantel a statuette of a mother
with a child in her arms, an oil painting of a beautiful boy, a globe lamp, two
candelabra, and two vases. Above the mantel are two rose pictures. On either
side of the fireplace is a window, and on the left of the fire are a pair of
bellows and a large shovel. On the right are a pair of tongs, and a handsome
feather broom for your esposo to sweep the hearth with. So far I have
described only the southern wall. Turning your eyes to the right, you will see
two windows on the western wall, looking towards the battle-ground of the 21st
July. On the left end of this wall hangs the celebrated oil painting, “Beatrice
Cenci.” Between the windows is a large portrait (as I suppose) of Mrs. Grigsby.
On the right of the right-hand window is a landscape painting. Upon the
northern wall to the left of the door is a picture, “The Evening Prayer,” with
the invocation, “Defend us from all perils and dangers of the night.” Near this
hangs a thermometer. On the right of the door are two other works of art, and
between them is the library desk, which is kindly placed at my disposal. Upon
the eastern wall, left end, is a picture of “Holyrood.” Near it, but on the
right, is a large portrait of Mr. Grigsby. About the centre of the wall is a
large mirror — on its right is a picture called “Innocence” — and here is
your loving husband!
. . . Our success at Leesburg reflected credit upon Colonel
Evans and his heroic brigade.
. . . I have written to Colonel Preston, of Lexington, to
join me. My desire is to get a staff specially qualified for their duties, and
that will render the greatest possible amount of service to their country. Last
night, Drs. White and McFarland reached here and are staying with me. They are
just from Synod at Petersburg, and give a very gratifying account of things
there. Dr. McFarland is a noble specimen of character.
SOURCE: Mary Anna Jackson, Life and Letters of
General Thomas J. Jackson (Stonewall Jackson), p. 196-8
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