It has not been our purpose in these papers to make special mention of
any officer. As an exception to the general plan, I have thought that a
brief mention of Col. Jackson's name would give no offense and could not
be regarded as an unfair discrimination. Holding, by virtue of his rank,
the most conspicuous place, he is in the eyes of his old comrades the
foremost mark for blame or praise. He went west soon after the
conclusion of the war--since then but little has been known of him by
members of the regiment. The latest information concerning him, in
possession of the writer, dates back some years, at which time he was
reported as living with his family upon a farm near New Salem, Kansas,
in feeble health. If living now he would be accounted an elderly man.
His military history, briefly stated in the army records, is as follows:
Mustered as Second Lieutenant, Company C, 34th Regiment, Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, September 21, 1861.
Mustered as First Lieutenant, same Company, April 14, 1862.
Mustered Captain May 12, 1862.
Resigned October 7, 1863; promoted Colonel 118th Regiment.
Mustered Colonel 121st Regiment (9th Cavalry), 1864.
Honorably discharged June 3, 1865.
The career disclosed by this brief recital, although but the skeleton of
his gallant service in behalf of his country, is one of which his
friends may well be proud, but to stop with it would not satisfy those
who followed his leadership with confidence and recall his memory with
affectionate regard.
Having been much in personal contact with him in camp, on the march, and
in action, the writer may take a partial view of his character--but
to-day, after the lapse of many years, recollecting his strong and weak
points, and he had them both, I deem it only a just tribute to the "old
Colonel," as the boys used to call him, to say that he was a brave
soldier, an able and skillful officer, a faithful and generous friend.
He was unfortunate in a nervous organization, which sometimes affected
his temper, compelling him to do and say things which he had occasion to
regret and which unfitted him for camp life. In its monotony he grew
restive and irritable, sometimes by too violent manifestations of his
feelings, giving offense to brother officers without just cause--but
mounted and at the head of the 9th, and fronting the enemy or leading
the charge, he was always the alert, gallant and splendid leader.
The education he was possessed of, was of a solid character and was
derived more from contact with men than from books. He did not affect
learning, though he was intelligent and well informed on current
affairs. Had he begun his career in the army with higher rank than a
Lieutenancy, or with influential friends to have secured the prompter
recognition of his merits, or earlier obtained opportunities for the
display of his soldierly qualities, he would have won distinction in a
war so fruitful of able Generals. As it is, his friends must be content
with the knowledge that in the various posts assigned him he was
faithful, capable and brave, and that those esteemed him most who knew
him best.