Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-05-15

the word "blessng" until he became insensi-
BILE. The round ball, (such as is used for the
smooth bore Springfield musket,) which had
lodged under the skin, upon the back of his
right hand, was extracted first 1t had en-
tered the palm, about the middle of the hand,
and had fractured two of the bones. The
left arm was then amputated, about two inches
below the shoulder, very rapidly, aud with
slight loss of blood, the ordinary circular op-
Grafton having been made There were two
wounds in this arm, the first and most serious
was about three inches below the shoulder
joint, the ball dividing the main artery and
tracturing the bone. The second was several
inches in length; ball having entered the
outside OF the forearm, an inch below the ell
bow, came out upon the opposite side, just
above the wrist. Throughout the whole of
the operation. and umtil all dressings were
applied, he continued insensibIc. Two or
three slight Wounds of the skin Of his face,
received from the branches of trees, when his
horse dashed through the woods were dressed
simply with isinglass plaster.
About hall past three clock Colonel (then
Major) PendietOn, the Assstan: Adiutant
General arrived at the hospital, and asked to
see the General. He stated that General
Hill had been wounded, and that the troops
were in great disorder. General Stuart was
in command, and had sent him to see the
General. At first l decued to permit an
interview, but the Colonel urged that the
safety of the army and success of the cause
depended upon his seeing him. When he
entered the tent the General said, "Well,
Major, am glad to see you, 1 thought you
were killed" Pendleton briefly explained
the condition of affairs, gave Stuart's message.
and asked what should be DONE General
jackson was at once interested, and asked in
his quick. rapid way, several questions
When they We're answered, he remained
silent for moment, evidently trying to think;
he contracted his brow, set his mouth, and
TOR some moments obviously cndeavOring
to concentrate his thoughts. For moment
it was believed he had succeeded, for his
nostlil dlated, and his eye flashed its old
fire, but it was only for IA moment; his face
relaxed again, and presently he answered,
very teebly and sadly. Il don't Know
can't tell; say to General Stuart he must do
what he thinks best" Soon after this, he
slept for several hours, and seemed to be
doing well. The next morning he was free
from pain, and expressed himself sauguiue
of recovery. He sent his aid de-camp, Nor
rlson, to inform his wife Of his injuries, and
to bring her at once to see him. The fol-
lowing note from Gen. Lee was read to him
that morning by Captain Smith: 81 have
JuSI lSCclNCu your uOLe informing me tnat
you were wounded. ! cannot express my
regret at the occurrence. Could have d-
rected events, | should have chosen, for the
good Of the country, to have been disabled
IN your stead. i congratulate you upon the
victory which is due to your skill and energy"
lie replied, General Lee should give the
praise to God" About ten o'clock his right
side began to pain him so much that he
asked me to examine it. lie said he had
injured it in falling from the litter the night
before, and believed that he had struck it
against stone or the stump Of snpIing
No evidence ofiniury could be discovered by
examination; the skin was not broken or
bruised, and the lung performed, far as l
could tell, its proper functions Some simple
application was recommended, in the belief
that the pain would soon disappear.
At this time, the battle was raging fnr-
fully. and the sound of the cannon and
musketry could be distinctly hearl at the
hospital. The Generals attention was at
tracted to it from the first, and when the
noise was at its height, and indicated how
icrcely the conflict was being carried on. he
directed all OF his attendants, except CAPTAIN
Smith, to return to the battle field. ard at
tend to their different duties Ey eight
o'clock Sunday night, the pain in his side
had disappeared. and in all respects he seemed
to be doing we'll. He inquired infinitely
about the battle, and the different troops
engaged, and his face would light I'D with
enthusiasm and interest, when told how this
brigade acted. or that officer displayed con-
spcuous courage. and his head gave the
peculiar shake from side to side, and he
uttered his usual "gU"d good, )" with unwunted
energy, when the galtsm behaviour Of ;he
"Stunewall Bri @ade was alluded to-. He
'I,o ,,f ,l,,,t l.,;.-,
some day, proud to say to their children. Il
WIS one Of the SGomewuil Eryade'" lie
discaimed any right OF his own to the name
StOnewaIl. lit belongs to the brigade and
not to me"
This night he slept we'll, and was free from
pain. y message was received from General
Lee the next morning directing me to re-
move the General to Guinea's Station, as
soon his condition would Justify it. as
there was some danger of capture by the
Federals who were threatening to cross at
Ely's Ford. In the meantime, to protect the
hospital, some troops We're sent to this point
The Gcneral objected to being moved, if, in
my opinion, it would do him any injury.
He said he had no objection to staying in a
tent and would prefer it, if his wife, when
she came, could find lodging in neighbcring
house, "And if the enemy does come" he
added, 81 am not afraid Of them; l have
always been kind to their wounded, and [
am sure they will be kind to me". General
Lee sent word again, late that evening, that
he must be moved if possible, and prepara-
tions were made to leave the next morning.
! was directed to accompany, and remain with
him, and my duties with the Corps, as Medical
Director, were turned over to the Surgeon
neStin rank. General Jackson had previous
ly declined to permit me to go with him to
Guinea's, because complaints had been so
frequently made of General officers, when
wounded, carrying off with them the Sur
geons belonging to their commands. When
Informed of this order of the Commanding
General, he said, General Lee has always