Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-07

is the wrong place for you p he replied
quickly, almost impatiently, "the danger is
all over the enemy is routed-go back and
tell A. P. Hill to press right on !" The Off
Ger obeyed, but had scarcely disappeared,
when sudden volley was fred from the
Confederate infantry in Jackson's rear, and
on the right of the road-eyidently directed
upon him and his escort. The origin OF TINS
fire has never been discovered, and after
Jackson's death there was little disposition
to investigate an occurrence which OCCASION
ed bitter distress to all who by any possi6il-
ity could have taken part in 1t. Ii Is prooa-
bic, however, that some movement OF
the Federal skirmishers had provoked the
fire; if, this is an error, the troops hred de-
upon Jackson and his party, under
the impression that they were body OF Fed
eral cavalry accommodating. 1t IS said that
the men had orders to open upon any object
in front, especially upon cavalry" and
the absence OF pickets or advance force OF
any kind on the Confederate side explains
the rest. The enemy were almost in contact
with them the Federal artillery, fully COM
manding the position Of the troops, was ex-
peeted to open every moment and the men
were lust in that excited condition which in
duces troops to fire at any and every object
they see.
Whatever may have been the origin of this
yolley. It came, and many Of the staff and
escort were shot and fell from their horses.
Jackson wheeled to the left and galloped
into the woods to get out Of range of the
bullets but he had not gone twenty steps
beyond the edge Of the turnpike, in the
tbicket. when one of his brigades drawn up
within thirty Yards of him fired voliey in
their turn, kneeling on the right knee, as the
fash of the guns showed, as though pre-
pared to s'guard against cavalry" BY this
fire Jackson was wounded in three places
He received one ball in his left arm, two
inches below the shoulder joint, shdtteripg
the bone and severing the chief artery--a
second passed through the same arm be-
tween the elbow and wrist, making its exit
through the palm of the band-and third
ball entered the palm of his right hand,
about the middle, and passing through broke
two of the bones. At the moment when he
was struck, he was holding his rein in his left
hand. and his right was raised either in the
singular gesture habitual TO him, at times Of
excitement, or to protect his face from the
boughs of the trees. His left hand imme-
dlately dropped at his side, and his horse,
no longer controlled by the rein, and fright
from the fire in the direction Of the Federal
lines. Jackson's helpless condition now ex-
posed him to distressing accident. His
horse ran violently between Two trees, from
one of which horizontal bQugh extended,
at about the height of his head, to the other;
and. as be passed between the trees, this
bough struck him in the lace, tore of his
cap, and threw him violently back on lis
horse. The blow was so violent as nearly &c
unseat him, but it did not do SO, and rising
erect again, he caught the bride with the
broken and bleeding fingers of his right
hand; and succeeded in tu ming his horse
back into the turnpike. Here, Captain W
hnnrn If mis- aiaf .r.~ss~siU.i III catcnlng tDfx
reins and checking the animal, who was al-7
most frantic from terror, Il. the moment
when, from loss of blood and exhaustion,
jackson was about to fall from the saddle.
The scene at this time was gloomy and de-
pl essing. Horses mad with fright at the
close firing were seen running in every di-
rectitn, some riderless, others detying con-
troll and in the woods lay many wounded
and diving men. Jackson's whole party, ex-
cept Captain Wilbourn and member OF the
Signal Corps, had been killed, wounded or
The man riding just behind
jackson had bad his horse killed. courier
near was wounded and his horse ran into
the Federal lines Lieutenant Morrison, aid
de-camp, threw himself from the saddle, anu
his horse fell dead Il moment afterwards
Captain Howard was wounded and carried
by his horse into the Federal camps Cap
tain Leigh had his horse shot under him
Captain Forbes was killed; and Captain Bos-
well, .ackson's chief engineer, was shot
through the heart, and his dead body carried
by his frightened horse into the lines OF the
enemy near at hand.
Such was the result Of the causeless fire.
1t had ceased as suddenly as it began, and
the position III the road which Jackson now
occupied was the same IRON which he had
been driven. aptain Wilbourn, who, with
Mr.. Wynn, OF the signal corps, was all that
was left Of the party, notices singular cir-
cumstance which attracted his attention at
this moment. The turnpike was utterly de-
serted with the exception Of himself, his
companion and Jackson; but IN the sklrtinS
of thickets on the left he observed some one
sitting his horse, by the side OF the woou'
and cody looking on, motionles' ana silent.
The unknown individual was clad ID aarh
dress, which strongly resembled the federal
uniform; but it seemed Impossible tna' no
could have penetrated to that spot WITHOUT
being discovered, and what followed seoineu
to prove that he belonged TO the Oonlece-
rates. Captain Wilbourn directed MN 10
=, ride I'D there and see what troops those
were,,-tbe men who had fired on jackson
when the stranger slowly rode III the d.
rection pointed out, but never returned win
sny answer. Who this silent parsonage was
is left to conjecture.
CAPTAIN Wilbourn, who was standing by
Jackson, now said, 60 They certainly must
be our troops" to which the general assented
with nod of the head, but said nothing
He was looking up the road toward his lines
:. with apparent astonishment," and con-
timed for some time to look in that dlrec-
ton, as if unable to realize that he could
have been fired upon and wounded by his
own men. His wound was bleeding proiuseIy,
the blood streaming down so as TO I'LL his
oanntlets, and il was necessary to secure as
sistapce promptly. Captain Wilbourn asked
him if he was much injured, and urged MN
To make an effort to move his fingers, as his
ability to do this would prove that his arm
was not broken. He endeavcred to do so,
looking down at his hand during the attempt,
hut speedily gave it up, announcing that MS
arm was broken. An effort which his COM
nanion made to straighten it caused MIN
great pain, and murmuring, " You had bet
Ter take me down" he leaned forward anu
fell into Captain Wilbourn's arms. he was
so much exhausted by loss Of blood that he
was unable to take his feet out Of the STIR
rups, and this was done by Mr.. Wynn. He
was then carried to the side of the road and
laid under a small tree, where Captain Will
hourn supported his head while his com l.
nanion went for surgeon and ambulance
TO carry him to the rear, receiving strict
instructions, however, not to mention the
occurrence to any one but DR.. Mcclure, or
other surgeon. Captain Wllbourn then
made an examination OF the Generals
wounds. Removing his held- glasses and
and haversack, which latter contained some
.aper and envelopes Tor dispatches, and two
religious tracts, he put these on his own per.
son for safety, and with small pen-kniie
proceeded to cut away the sleeves OF the
india-rubber overall, dress cost, and two
shirts from the bleeding arm.
While this duty was being performed, Gen
eral Hill rode up with his staff, and dismount,