This appears to be a derivative of the article that I have posted here:

http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2007/02/06/bee-redux/

As you see, that’s the Richmond Dispatch from July 29, and also it is pulled from an even earlier edition of the Charleston Mercury. I believe – but can’t nail down right now – that this story began to emerge around the 24th. And keep in mind that the focus of the story in these accounts is Bee, not Jackson. No “rallying behind the Virginians.”

“GEN. BEE, OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
This gallant officer fell in the field of battle. He displayed a gallantry that scarcely has a parallel in history. The brunt of the morning’s battle was sustained by his command until past two o’clock. Overwhelmed by superior numbers, and compelled to yield before a fire that swept everything before it, Gen. Bee rode up and down his lines, encouraging his troops, by everything that was dear to them, to stand up and repel the tide which threatened them with destruction. At last his own brigade dwindled to a mere handful, with every field officer killed or disabled. He rode up to Gen. Jackson and said: “General, they are beating us back.” The reply was: “Sir, we’ll give them the bayonet.” Gen. Bee immediately rallied the remnant of his brigade, and his last words to them were: “There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here and we will conquer. Follow me!” His men obeyed the call and, at the head of his column, the very moment when the battle was turning in our favor, he fell, mortally wounded. Gen. Beauregard was heard to say he had never seen such gallantry. He never murmured at his suffering, but seemed to be consoled by the reflection that he was doing his duty.”

It appears that the legend started to grow as soon as 10 days after the battle. I tend to agree more with John’s article. What was published in the Standard seems more like propaganda needed by a fledgling country that thought it would fight one insignificant battle for its independence rather than suffer serious losses. It needed a hero to buoy its people who were trying to figure out whether what they were about to endure was worth the cost.

Certainly the day, indeed the era, was one for story telling. I think we can agree that we all like a good story. What a relief to ascend Mrs. Henry’s hill once again and find amid the carnage a beloved veneration for the audacity of Stonewall Jackson and his renown Virginians.

Now retired in South Carolina, I wonder what they are saying about me back in the Old Dominion? Maybe Stonewall wonders too. Indeed, the pieces are thought provoking, and I sincerely thank you. I personally don’t care who was in trouble and came to the rescue that day. The reality is that Gen. Bee and many sons of the South from (in alphabetical order) Alabama, Carolina, Virginia and others stood that day and prevailed. I’m preparing a speech this week to mobilize the grassroots to save the Republic. Perhaps I should carefully choose my words. Whichever “ending” you choose must make us all stand for Liberty for it is our day to be resolute like a stonewall against the incursions on States Rights, our Constitution, life, and liberty. Shall we stand together?

L. Bateman

Glad I could help out on that score.

Harry

As for the centrality of Virginians to the story and how that happened…well, Virginians also conceived and erected the anabolic Jackson statue on Henry Hill. A little enhancement seems at times to have been part of the culture….

Hennesey’s article also makes sense to me. That the primary AL sources pretty much are consistent carries a lot of weight. Tom does have a good point–maybe the Virginia troops campfire tales and gossip spread faster? That the AL sources reflect contemporary writings is important IMO as we know that writings decades later can often be questionable.

Larry