ries were ripening, ox-eye daisies
fringed the banks of red earth. The head of the column, coming to a
by-road, found awaiting it there an old, plain country woman in a faded
sunbonnet and faded check apron. She had a basket on her arm, and she
stepped into the middle of the road before Little Sorrel. "Air this
General Jackson?"

Stonewall Jackson checked the horse. The staff and a division general or
two stopped likewise. Behind them came on the infantry advance, long and
jingling. "Yes, madam, I am General Jackson. What can I do for you?"

The old woman put down her basket and wiped her hands on her apron.
"General, my son John air in your company. An' I've brought him some
socks an' two shirts an' a chicken, an' a pot of apple butter. An' ef
you'll call John I'll be obleeged to you, sir."

A young man in the group of horsemen laughed, but stopped abruptly as
Jackson looked round. The latter turned to the old woman with the
gentlest blue eyes, and the kindliest slow smile. "I've got a great many
companies, ma'am. They are all along the road from Gordonsville. I don't
believe I know your son."

But the old woman would not have that. "My lan', general! I reckon you
all know John! I reckon John wuz the first man to jine the army. He wuz
chopping down the big gum by the crick, an' the news come, an' he
chopped on twel the gum wuz down, an' he says, says he, 'I'll cut it up
for you, Maw, an' then I'm goin'.' An' he went.--He's about your make
an' he has light hair an' eyes an' he wuz wearing butternut--"

"What is his last name, ma'am?"

"His middle name's Henry an' his last name's Simpson."

"In whose brigade is he, and in what regiment?"

But the old woman shook her head. She knew only that he was in General
Jackson's company. "We never larned to write, John an' me. He wuz
powerful good to me--en I reckon he's been in all the battles 'cause he
wuz born that way. Some socks, and two shirts an' something to eat--an'
he hez a scar over his eye where a setting hen pecked him when he was
little--an' won't you please find him for me, sir?" The old voice
quavered toward tears.

Stonewall Jackson dismounted, and looked toward the on-coming column.
The advance was now but a few hundred yards away; the whole army to the
last wagon train had its orders for expedition. He sent for his
adjutant. "Companies from Orange County, sir? Yes, there are a number in
different regiments and brigades."

"Well, you will go, colonel,