Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-11-05
STONEWALL JACKSON.
THE CONFEDERATE CHIeFTAIN'S
LAST COMMAND IN THE FIELD.

Mostally Wounded by Shots from His
Own Men-Litter Bearers Under Fed
eraI Artillery Fire-Last Order Given
BY the General
When jackson had reached the point where
his line now crossed the turnpike, scarcely a
mile west of Charlottesville and not half a
mile from a line of Federal troops, he had
found his front line unfit for the farther and
vigorous adv ance he desired, by reason of the
irregular character of the fighting, now right,
now left, and because Of the dense thicketS
through which it was impossible to preserve
alignment. Division commanders found 1t
more and more difficult as the twilight deep
ened to hold their broken brigades in hand.
Regretting the necessity of relieving the
trOops III front Gen. jackson had ordered A
Hills division, his third and reserve line,
TO be placed in front. While this change was
being effected, impatient and anxious, the
general rode forward on the turnpike, fol
lowed by two or three of his staff and a num-
Der of cOuriers and signal sergeants. lie
passed the swampy depression, and began the
ascent Of the hill toward ChancellorSyllle,
when he came upon line Of the Federal in
fantry lying on their arms. Fired at by one
OF two muskets two muslet balls from the
enemy whistled over my head as | came TO
the 'front.', he turned and came back toward
his line, upon the side of the road to his left
SHOT BY HIS OWN MEN
As he rode near to the Confederate troops
just placed in position, and ignorant that he
was in the front, the left company began
firing to the front, and two Of his party fell
from their saddles dead-Capt Boswell, OF
the engineers, and Sergt. Cunlitfe, of the sig
nal corps. Squirting his horse across the road
to his right, he was met a second volley from
the right company of Penders North Carolina
brigade. Under this volley, when not two
rods from the troops, the general received
three balls at the same instant One pene-
trated the palm of his right hand, and was
cut out that night from the back of his hand
A second passed around the wrist Of the lett
arm and out through the left hand. But
third ball passed through the left arm half
way from the shoulder TO the elbow. The
large bone Of the upper arm was splntered 10
the elbow joint, and the wound b!ed freely
His horse turned quickly from the fire,
through the thick bushes, which swept the
cap from the generals head and scratched his
forehead, leaving drops of blood to stain bis
face.
As he lost his hold upon the bride rein be
reeled from the saddle and was caught by the
arms of Capt. Milbourne, of the signal corps
Laid upon the ground, there came at once 10
his succor Gen. A. p. Hill and members OF
his staff The writer reached his side
minute after, to find Gen. Hill holding the
heed and shoulders of the wounded chief.
Cutting open the coat sleeve, from wrist to
shoulder, ! found the wound in the upper
arm, and with my handkerchief bound the
arm above the wound, to stem the flow OF
blood. Couriers were sent for DIR. Hunter
Mcclure, the surgeon of the corps and the
generals trusted friend, and for an ambu-
lance Being outside of our lines, 1t was
urgent that lie should be moved at once
With difficulty litter bearers were brought
from the line near by, the general placed
upon the litter and carefully raised to the
shoulder, myself bearing one corner
UNDER ARTILLERY FIRE.
A moment later artillery from the Federal
side was opened upon us; great broadsldes
thundered over tee woods; kissing shells
searched the dark thickets through, and
shrapnel swept the road along which we
moved. Two or three steps farther and the
litter bearer at my side was struck and fell,
but as the litter turned Maj Watkins Leigh,
of Hilrs staff, happily caught 1t. But the
fright of the men was 50 great that we were
obliged to lay the litter and its burden down
upon the road. As the litter bearers ran to
the cover of the trees threw myself by the
generals side and held him firmly to the
ground as he attempted to rise. Over US
swept the rapid fire of shot and shell-grnpe-
shot striking fire on the hinty rock of the
road all around us and sweeping from their
feet horses and men of the artillery Just moved
TO the front Soon the firing veered TO the
other side Of the road, and | sprang to my
feet, assisted the general TO rise, passed my
arm around him. and with the wounled mans
weight thrown heavily upon ME, We forsook
the road
Entering the woods he sank 10 the ground
from exhaustion, but the litter was soon
brought, and, again rallying a few men, we
essayed to carry him farther, when a second
bearer fell at my side. This time, with none
to assist, the litter careened, and the general
fell to the ground with grnan of deep pain.
Greatly alarmed, sprang to his aid, and lift
ing his head as a stray beam of moonlight
came through clouds and leaves he opened
his eyes and wearily said: Never mind me,
captain, never mind me" Raising him again
to his feet, he was accoSted by Brig Gen
Fender: "Oh, general, l hope you are not
seriously wounded. l will have to retire my
troops to reform them, they are so much
broken by this fire" But jackson, rallying
his strength, with firm voice said: You must
hold your ground, Gen. Pender; you must
hold your ground, sir!" And so uttered his
last command on the feld.-Capt James
Power Smith in The Century