[Emailed August 3, 1997]

A QUICK ONE THIS MORNING

I can't resist another little Stonewall Jackson story. I have no idea why, but this one really tickled me.

"At the battle of Port Republic, in the Valley of Virginia, Stonewall Jackson occupied a position at one time which exposed him to great personal peril. An artillery duel was in progress, and the missiles of the enemy fell thick around him.

"A cannonball had just killed a soldier at his side, and the soldier's companion, who had escaped injury, dodged and retreated several yards, fearing that a shot might put an end to him also if he stood so near the fatal spot. Scarcely was he in his new position, when another ball whistled past him, and he fell, stunned by the atmospheric concussion. Had he remained at his former post the ball would have been harmless.

"Stonewall, who did not dodge, seeing all this, said in his plain, blunt way to the soldier when again on his feet: "What did you make by dodging? Dodgers often dodge into the danger they would avert. Don't dodge anything but sin, sir, and you will be all right."