General Johnston, Major Eustis, and myself, left Canton at 6
A.M. on a locomotive for Jackson.
On the way we talked a good deal about “Stonewall” Jackson.
General Johnston said that although this extraordinary man did not possess any
great qualifications as a strategist, and was perhaps unfit for the independent
command of a large army; yet he was gifted with wonderful courage and
determination, and a perfect faith in Providence that he was destined to
destroy his enemy. He was much indebted to General Ewell in the valley
campaigns. Stonewall Jackson was also most fortunate in commanding the flower of
the Virginian troops, and in being opposed to the most incapable Federal
commanders, such as Fremont and Banks.
Before we had proceeded twelve miles we were forced to stop
and collect wood from the roadside to feed our engine, and the General worked
with so much energy as to cause his “Seven Pines” wound to give him pain.
We were put out at a spot where the railroad was destroyed,
at about four miles from Jackson. A carriage ought to have been in waiting for
us, but by some mistake it had not arrived, so we had to foot it. I was obliged
to carry my heavy saddlebags. Major Eustis very kindly took my knapsack, and
the General carried the cloaks. In this order we reached Jackson, much
exhausted, at 9.30 A.M.
General Loring came and reported himself soon after. He is a
stout man with one arm. His division had arrived at Jackson from Crystal
Springs about 6000 strong; Evans's brigade, about 3000, had also arrived from
Charleston; and Maxey's brigade was in the act of marching into Jackson. I
calculate, therefore, that General Johnston must now have nearly 25,000 men
between Jackson and the Yazoo.
I took an affectionate farewell of him and his officers, and
he returned to Canton at 3 P.M. I shall be much surprised if he is not heard of
before long. That portion of his troops which I saw, though they had been
beaten and forced to retreat, were in excellent spirits, full of confidence,
and clamouring to be led against only double their numbers.
I renewed my acquaintance with Dr Russell, for whose timely
protection I shall always feel myself much indebted. I also sent my love to
Smythe by several different people.
At 3.30 P.M. I left Jackson in a Government ambulance, in
company with Captain Brown of General Johnston's Staff, who was extremely
useful to me. I had taken the precaution of furnishing myself with a pass from
Colonel Ewell, the adjutant-general, which I afterwards discovered was
absolutely necessary, as I was asked for it continually, and on the railroad
every person's passport was rigidly examined.
We drove to the nearest point at which the railroad was in
working order, a distance of nearly five miles.
We then got into the cars at 6 P.M. for Meridian. This piece
of railroad was in a most dangerous state, and enjoys the reputation of being
the very worst of all the bad railroads in the South. It was completely worn
out, and could not be repaired. Accidents are of almost daily occurrence, and a
nasty one had happened the day before.
After we had proceeded five miles, our engine ran off the
track, which caused a stoppage of three hours. All male passengers had to get
out to push along the cars.
SOURCE: Sir Arthur James Lyon Fremantle, Three
Months in the Southern States: April-June, 1863, p. 124-7
