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was soon on my way up the
Mississippi, and entered the ‘belle riviere.’
Among my fellow passengers on the steamer was
Lieutenant Thomas J. Jackson, of the United States army, who seemed at first a remarkably quiet, reserved, although very intelligent officer, and with whom I soon became acquainted; for there is everywhere a sort of
cameraderie among officers of the two services which attracts them to each other in a crowd of strangers.
For several days the inland voyage continued, and our nights were partly spent upon the hurricane deck of the steamer, engaged in conversation.
One of these conversations was so peculiar that it. fixed itself in my memory, and subsequent events proved it worthy of record, although, I confess, I hesitate to put in writing anything which seems to border so nearly on the marvellous.”
He then proceeds to give the conversation held with
Lieutenant Jackson, which was upon the subject of astrology, to which
Jackson led the way. The latter is made to converse in a very different manner, as to his language, expression and thoughts, from that for which
General Jackson was noted among his acquaintances, and he is made to indicate very clearly some belief in astrology as a science.
General Revere then proceeds:
Before we parted at Pittsburg, a day or two after this conversation, I had given Jackson the necessary data for calculating a horoscope; and in a few months I received from him a letter, which I preserved, inclosing a scheme of my nativity.
According to the scheme of nativity furnished by
Jackson, it appeared that his and
Revere's “destinies seemed to run in parallel lines,” and they were to be exposed to a common danger “during the first days of May, 1863,” and it is stated that
Jackson said in his letter: “It is clear to me that we shall both be exposed to a common danger at the time indicated.”
This story is followed by another in reference to the
battle of Chancellorsville in these words:
At the battle above named, I was an involuntary witness of an event which had an important bearing on the issue of the war, and which has been the subject of prolonged controversy.
I refer to the death of Stonewall Jackson.
The circumstances under which I acquired the right to give testimony in the matter were somewhat remarkable, and I here give a full statement of them.
The left of my brigade line lay near the Plank road at Chancellorsville, and, after night had fallen, I rode forward, according to my invariable habit, to inspect my picket line.
The moon had risen and partially illuminated the woods.
I began my inspection on the right
