hom he attended in his last illness. He then filled the
same office to my father, following him through his Indian and Mexican
campaigns, and dying at Washington a year before his master. Tom served
in Florida and Mexico as "aide-de-camp" to his uncle, after which he
married and became father of a large family. On this account I hesitated
to bring him to Virginia, but he would come, and was a model servant.
Tall, powerful, black as ebony, he was a mirror of truth and honesty.
Always cheerful, I never heard him laugh or knew of his speaking unless
spoken to. He could light a fire in a minute under the most unfavorable
conditions and with the most unpromising material, made the best coffee
to be tasted outside of a creole kitchen, was a "dab" at camp stews and
roasts, groomed my horses (one of which he rode near me), washed my
linen, and was never behind time. Occasionally, when camped near a
house, he would obtain starch and flat-irons, and get up my extra shirt
in a way to excite the envy of a professional clear-starcher; but such
red-letter days were few.

I used to fancy that there was a mute sympathy between General Jackson
and Tom, as they sat silent by a camp fire, the latter respectfully
withdrawn; and an incident here at Strasburg cemented this friendship.
When my command was called into action, I left Tom on a hill where all
was quiet. Thereafter, from a change in the enemy's dispositions, the
place became rather hot, and Jackson, passing by, advised Tom to move;
but he replied, if the General pleased, his master told him to stay
there and would know where to find him, and he did not believe shells
would trouble him. Two or three nights later, Jackson was at my fire
when Tom came to give me some coffee; where upon Jackson rose and
gravely shook him by the hand, and then told me the above.

After the war was closed, Tom returned with me to New Orleans, found his
wife and children all right, and is now prosperous. My readers have had
so much fighting lately, and are about to have so much more, as to
render unnecessary an apology for introducing Tom's history.

To return. Cannonading continued without much effect, and Ewell summoned
me to his presence, directing the brigade to remain in position till
further orders. Jackson, busy with his trains, was not at the moment on
the field, which he visited several times during the day, though I did
not happen to see him. To reach Ewell, it was necessary to pass under
som