Des Arc citizen., 1866-05-19
Last Hours of St0newall Jackson Narrative by his Medical Attendant

NdTIdJivc DJ HIS NlCulCdi HUUCHudUts
 Dr. Hunter Mcclure has furnished the Rich mond Medical Journal with a detailed account of the last hours of Stonewall Jackson. It is especially interesting, as the writer was Jack sson 3 medical attendant:
 He says that after the fatal wound was re- ceived, and Jackson was being supported from the field, he pushed aside the men who were holding him up, stretched himself to his full night and cried, feebly, yet distinctly enough to be heard above the din of battle: Gen Fender, you must hold on to the field; you must hold out to the last" This was his final orderupo theiield He was then placed upon n litter and taken to the Wilderness tavern, which was used as hospital.
 Chloroform was then administered, and as he began to feel it's effects, and it's relief to the pain he WIS suffering, he exclaimed: Whatan infinite blessing p and continued to repeat the word "blcssing" until he became insensible. 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. It had entered the palm, about the middle of the hand, and had frac tured two of the bones. The left arm was then amputated, about two inches below the shoulder, very rapidly, and with slightloss of blood, the ordinary circular operation 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 fracturing the bone. The second was several inches in length, q ball having en- tered the outside of the forearm, an inch below the elbow. came out on the opposite side, just above the wrist Throughout the whole of the operation, and until all dressing were applied, l.. T ,l, |, 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. During that day and the two or three next following he seemed to be doing well, butt on Thursday change occurred. and pleuro- pneumonia of the right side fol- lowed. His wife and children were sent for, but he began to sink. On Saturday he was still worse. We quote the closing description verbatim.
 When his child was brought to him he played with it for some time, frequently ca ressing it and calling it his s'lttle comforter. At one time he raised his wounded hand above his head, and closing his eyes, was for some moments silently engaged in prayer. Hesaid to me, ssI see from the number of physicians, that you think my condition dangerous; but thank God, if it is His will, that am ready to go." About daylight on Sunday morning Mrs. Jackson informed him that his condition was very doubtful, and it was better that he should be prepared for the worst. He was si- lent for moment, and then said: 'It will be infinite gain to be translated to Heaven.a
 He advised his wife, in the event of his death, to return to her fathers house and ad- ded, ssYou have kind and good father, but there is no one so kind and good IS your Heavenly Father" He stillexprcssed hope crh h;c racovorx. huf ronuaSf ad how if ho Sha.,jd die, to have him buried in Lexington, in the valley of Virginia. His exhaustion increased so rapidly that at eleven o'clock Mrs. Jackson knelt by his bed and told him that ere the sun went down he would be with his Savior. He replied, 'sOh no! you are frightened, my child; death is not so near; l may yet get we'll" She fell over upon the bed, weeping bitterly, and toldhim again that the physicians said there was no hope. After a moments pause he asked her to call me. ssDocter, Anna informed mo that you have told her that am to die to-day; is it so? When he was an swered, he turned his eyes toward the ceiling, and gazed for a moment or two as if in intense thought, then replied, sVery good; very good; it is all right He then tried to comfort his almost heart broken wife, and told her he had a good deal 10 say to her, but he was was too weak. Col Pendleton came into the room about one o'clock, and he asked him "who was preaching at headquarters to-day?" When told that the whole army was praying for him, he replied thank God-they are very kind !" He said, s.It is the Lords day; my wish is fulfilled. l have always desired to die on Sun day"
 His mind now began to fail and wander, and he frequently talked as if in command upon the field giving orders in his old way ; then the scene shifted, and he was at his old mess table IF conversation with members of his slaff; now with his wife and child: now at prayer with his military family. Occasion al intervals of return ofh mind would appear, and during one of them I offered him some brandy and water, but he declined it, saying ''It will only delay my departure, and do no good; want to preserve my mind, if possible to the last" About half-past one he was told that he had but two hours to live, and he an- swered again, feebly but firmly, ''very good, it is all right" A few moments before he died he cried out, in his delirium, ''0rder A. P. Hill to prepare for action! pass the infant ry to the front rapidly! tell Major Hawks then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished Presently smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said, quietly and with an expression as if of relief, .'Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees :" and then, without pain or tn, least struggle, his spirit passed from earth tc the God who gave it.