Still, unsociable and irresponsive as he was, there were those in whose company he found pleasure, cadets who had studied subjects not included in the West Point course, and from whom there was something to be learned.  It was an unwritten law of the Academy that those of the senior year should not make companions of their juniors.  But Jackson paid no heed to the traditionary code of etiquette.  His acquaintances were chosen regardless of standing, as often from the class below him as his own; and in yet another fashion his strength of character was displayed.  Towards those who were guilty of dishonourable conduct he was merciless almost to vindictiveness.  He had his own code of right and wrong, and from one who infringed it he would accept neither apology nor excuse.  His musket, which was always scrupulously clean, was one day replaced by another in most slovenly order.  He called the attention of his captain to his loss, and described the private mark by which it was to be identified.  That evening, at the inspection of arms, it was found in the hands of another cadet, who, when taxed with his offence, endeavoured to shield himself by falsehood.  Jackson’s anger was unbounded, and for the moment his habitual shyness completely disappeared.  He declared that such a creature should not continue a member of the Academy, and demanded that he should be tried by court-martial and expelled.  It was only by means of the most persevering remonstrances on the part of his comrades and his officers that he could be induced to waive his right of pressing the charge.  His regard for duty, too, was no less marked than his respect for truth.  During one half-year his room-mate was orderly-sergeant of his company, and this good-natured if perfunctory young gentleman often told Jackson that he need not attend the reveille roll-call, at which every cadet was supposed to answer to his name.  Not once, however, did he avail himself of the privilege.* (* Communicated by Colonel P.T.  Turnley.)

At the same time he was not altogether so uncompromising as at first sight he appeared.  At West Point, as in after years, those who saw him interested or excited noticed that his smile was singularly sweet, and the cadets knew that it revealed a warm heart within.  Whenever, from sickness or misfortune, a comrade stood in need of sympathy, Jackson was the first to offer it, and he would devote himself to his help with a tenderness so womanly that it sometimes excited ridicule.  Sensitive he was not, for of vanity he had not the slightest taint; but of tact and sensibility he possessed more than his share.  If he was careless of what others thought of him, he thought much of them.  Though no one made more light of pain on his own account, no one could have more carefully avoided giving pain to others, except when duty demanded it; and one of his classmates* (* Colonel Turnley.) testifies that he went through the trying ordeal of four years at West Point without ever having a hard word or bad feeling from cadet or professor.