Oblivious to dress in the first months of the Civil War, he was recognized by his seediness. Jackson even sat a horse awkwardly, body bent far forward as if leaning into a stiff wind. He was known more for silence than for any utterances. In short, Jackson gave no appearance of ability, much less of genius.
It had been fourteen years since he had last seen combat. Yet Jackson swept into civil war with cool professionalism and abiding faith in God’s presence. He saw divine intercession in the breakup of the Union. God had levied a curse on the land. Victory would come to the side that most feared the Lord. The relentless pursuit of victory was the relentless pursuit of faith.
|