Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-03-09

FEARFUL BLOW TO GEN. HOOKER-
THE FEDERAL WING RoUTED-A
NIGHT RECONNOITRE-U -UNFoRTUN-
ATE woUNDING OF THE GREAT
MILITARY COMMANDER.
Published by Special Request from
Mcjcr John Esten Cookies Life Of Gen.
StOnewGU JackSon.
On the morning OF the I'd Of May
Jackson was early iu the saddle, and
pushed forward his preparation with
Vigor, in spite of distressing cold
which he had caught by sleeping with
out sufficient covering to protect him
rom the humid airs of the chill spring
night.
This cold had resulted from his kind
" solicitude for the comfort OF another.
Ia the hasty march he seems TO have
left behind HIM his blankets, and one
OF his aids threw over him heavy cape,
as sOme addition ~ his scant covering.
During the night Jackson bethought him
that the young man might be suffering
f.om cold in consequence of his gener-
oslty, aud rising quietly, he spread the
cape over the youthful sleeper, and
again laid down without 1t, The Con-
sequence was a severe cold; and the
cold terminated in that attack Of rneu-
mohia which, occurring at time when
lie was enleeb.ed by his wound, result
I'd in his death. Ii he had not thrown
that cape over bis sleeping aide, it is
probable that be would have survived
his wounds,
In spite, however, Of this severe it,
disposition, Jackson had never exhl-
bied more ardor and energy than when
undertaking this great movement. lis
splendid details aud triumphant result
were no doubt mapped out in his brain,
and an unwonted excitement mastered
him. The enterprise was one which
demanded the highest traits of military
genius. He had undertaken to move,
Without being discovered, along the en-
lie trout Of the enemy, and in close
proximity to their liues; to make his
way by uuf.equented roads and through
dense lhickets to their flank and rear,
and 10 attack the large force Of Gen.
Hooker in his lntrenchments above
Charlottesville, aud put everything
upon the issue ofth struggle. If one
step went wrong in the programme, his
purpose would be defeated if he was
repulsed in the assault, there was no
possibility Of receiving assistance from
Gen. Lee; upon his skill and soldier
ship depended not only the success OF
the movement which he was about 10
make, but the very existence Of the
great army corpse which he command
ed.
The column commenced its march at
da, break. Leaving the plank road
about a mile and half from Chancel-
lorsvi!le, aud occupying the attention
Of the Federal forces by the fire Of &
battery under Major Pegra M, Jackson
pressed on steadily BY The Old Nine
road in the direction OF the Furnace;
the cavalry under Gen. Stuart moving
N front and on the 6anks Of the column,
TO mask the troops from the enemy.
At the Furnace the 23d Georgia, Col.
Best, was left to guard the road lead
ing from that point toward Chaucel-
lorsvile, in order 10 protect the column
against an attack on its flank in pass
lnr. and Jackson cont nued to advance.
As The rear OF the column reached the
Furnace, The anticipated attack took
place; The enemy suddenly advancing
and assaiing the 23d Georgia so uncx-
pectedly that the whole regiment, with
the exception Of Col. Best and few
men. was surrounded and captured.
The trai1S Of the corps were also al
tackled ty the Federal forces, but Gel
J. Thompson Brown promptly placed
his ltll9rY in position, aud after brief
bu. hot engagement, the enemy were
r. pulsed and compelled 10 retreat to-
ward Charlottesville.
The design of the Confederate com
mander seemed thus TO have been un-
but such WAS not the fact.
The euemy still had no suspicion OF his
real intentions, and the direction IN
" hlch his column now moved no doubt
explains this circumstance. The road
" hich Jackson followed, bends south
y ard a, the Furnance for short dis
lance, returning, as IL were, toward tne |
point from which it came; and the
snemI's writer's assert that they sup
posed the Southern troops to be in full
-etreat toward SpotIsylyania Court
House. Such was the fatal misconcep'
ion Of Gen. Hooker -affording Que
more proof of the soundness Of Napol'
cons maxim, that the first necessity OF
. Geaeral is to study the character Of
lis opponent, Gen. Hooker ought 10
I'VE been sufficiently acquainted With |
he character Of Jackson TO understand
hat 10 retreat without a-battle vas no
,art Of the military pbilosopy' Of the
nan of Kernsto ~D; a6d that the soldier
Who had Aauked Gen. Mcclellan and
,otten La rear of Gen, pJpr, would