Jackson’s home was childless.  A little daughter, born at Lexington, lived only for a few weeks, and her place remained unfilled.  His sorrow, although he submitted uncomplainingly, was very bitter, for his love for children was very great.  “A gentleman,” says Mrs. Jackson, “who spent the night with us was accompanied by his daughter, but four years of age.  It was the first time the child had been separated from her mother, and my husband suggested that she should be committed to my care during the night, but she clung to her father.  After our guests had both sunk in slumber, the father was aroused by someone leaning over his little girl and drawing the covering more closely round her.  It was only his thoughtful host, who felt anxious lest his little guest should miss her mother’s guardian care under his roof, and could not go to sleep himself until he was satisfied that all was well with the child.”

These incidents are little more than trivial.  The attributes they reveal seem of small import.  They are not such as go towards building up a successful career either in war or politics.  And yet to arrive at a true conception of Jackson’s character it is necessary that such incidents should be recorded.  That character will not appear the less admirable because its strength and energy were tempered by softer virtues; and when we remember the great soldier teaching a negro child, or ministering to the comfort of a sick slave, it becomes easy to understand the feelings with which his veterans regarded him.  The quiet home at Lexington reveals more of the real man than the camps and conflicts of the Civil War, and no picture of Stonewall Jackson would be complete without some reference to his domestic life.

“His life at home,” says his wife, “was perfectly regular and systematic.  He arose about six o’clock, and first knelt in secret prayer; then he took a cold bath, which was never omitted even in the coldest days of winter.  This was followed by a brisk walk, in rain or shine.

“Seven o’clock was the hour for family prayers, which he required all his servants to attend promptly and regularly.  He never waited for anyone, not even his wife.  Breakfast followed prayers, after which he left immediately for the Institute, his classes opening at eight o’clock and continuing to eleven.  Upon his return home at eleven o’clock he devoted himself to study until one.  The first book he took up daily was his Bible, which he read with a commentary, and the many pencil marks upon it showed with what care he bent over its pages.  From his Bible lesson he turned to his text-books.  During those hours of study he would permit no interruption, and stood all the time in front of a high desk.  After dinner he gave himself up for half an hour or more to leisure and conversation, and this was one of the brightest periods in his home life.  He then went into his garden, or out to his farm to superintend his servants, and frequently joined them in manual