Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-05-05
The VYoundins of Jackson.

wednesday was the twentieth annl'er-
sarv of the date on which Gen. Stonewall
Jackson, after routing Hooker's right
flank at Charlottesville, and while press
ING forward to sever the line of retreat OF
the main body of the Federal army, re-
ceiyed from his own men, by accident,
the wound which eight days later resulted
in his death. To the Confederacy his loss
was irreparable. Having been engaged
in nearly every important action OF the
war in Virginia, and having distinguished
himself in all, he had become among the
Southern soldiery, as among the people, 4
hero whose presence on the battlefield
was regarded as a sure omen OF success.
The list of the principal actions in which
he participated-Bu Run, Kernstown,
Mcdowell, Front Royal, Winchester,
Cross Keys, Port Republic, Cold Haroor'
Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, the in
vestment of Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg
or Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chan
cellorsville-is, with one or two e1cep-
lions. q list of successes, rejecting the
highest credit upon his military genius.
His fame has become the common property
of the country, and, indeed, OF the world
at large, having long ago crossed the OBJ
liberated limits of the government Tor
which he fought. The comparative OBJ
scurity in which he passed all but the last
three years of lis life finds a parallel IN
the mystery, or uncertainty, which IN the
popular mind surrounds the circum-
stances under which he was shot. The
question has been raised whether he was
wounded by his own men or by the enemy,
and, it being generally conceded that he
was fired at by mistake by his own men,
it has been matter of hot discussion as
to the regiment that made the fatal BLUM
der. The facts, we'll substantiated by OIL.
GERS present at the time are as follows:
The front line of advance had been formed
by Rodes's division, extending across the
pike, but the division commanded by Gen.
Colslon, forming the second line, had, as
the action progressed, become mingled
with it, After nighttall, in lull OF the
firing, it was undertaken to relieve the
Two divisions by 4. Z. Hills division Of
fresh troops. Jackson was impatient to
have the attack recommended, and, sup
posing that there was skirmish line out
in front between Rodes'S men and the
enemy, rode forward along the pike in
advance of Hill to ascertain the enemy's
position, and in doing so passed through
the line of battle beginning to be formed
by Lanes brigade of Hills division.
Those of Lanes men Immediately in the
road knew that Gen. Jackson had passed,
but those further to the right and left did
not. Hence some of Lanes troops OH the
right Of the road seeing Gen. Jackson,
accompanied by several signalmen and
couriers, in their front, mistook them for
the enemy and opened fire Oh the party,
wounding not few of its members. Those
of their number still unhurt, including
Gen. Jackson, to escape this fire, plunged
into the woods on the left, where they
were met with second yolley from the
troops on'that side Of the road. General
Lane reports it as the opinion generally
accepted at the time that it was the
eighteenth regiment of his brigade of
North Carolinians that did the firing, mis-
taking General Jackson and his escort for
n party of the Federal cavalry. The result
OF the second volley was that the General
was wounded in three places, two balls
penetrating his left arm, SCATTERING it and
cutting the chief artery, and third pass
ing through the palm of his right hand.
After some delay General Jackson was
borne to the rear. His arm was amputated
and hopes of his recovery were entertain
ed, but pneumonia soon set in, which WAS
the immediate cause of his death on the
10th of May, 1S63.-BaHimore Sun.