Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-06
ST0NEWALL JACKSON.
How the Great Confederate Chieftain
FelI-His Last Command on the Field.

Feli-His Last Command on the Field.
Captain James Power Smith describes
Stonewall Jacbson's last battle in the Octo-
Der CHl{Hg. From this article we quote
the following: When Jackson had reached
the point where his line now crossed the
turnpike. scarcely mile west of Chancel-
louisville, and not half mile from line of
Federal troops, he had found his front line
unfit for the farther and vigorous advance
he desired, by reason of the irregular char
acter OF the fighting, now right, now left,
and because of the dense thickets, through
which il was impossible TO preserve align
ment. Division commanders found it
more and more difficult as the twilight
deepened TO hold their broken brigades in
hand. Regretting the necessity of reliey-
ing the troops in front, General Jackson
ordered 4. 2. Hills division, his third and
reserve line, to be placed IN front.
"Whiie this change was being effected,
impatient and anxious the General rode
forward on the turnpike, followed by two
or three of his staff and a number of
couriers and signal sergeants. He passed
the sWampy depression, and began the
ascent of the hill toward Charlottesville,
when be came upon a lire of the Federal
infantry lying on their arms. Fired at by
one or TWO muskets two musket balls from
the enemy whiStled over my head as ]
came 20 The 'front.', he turned and came
back toward his line. upon the side of the
road to his left. AS he rode near to the
Confederate troops just placed in position,
and ignorant that he was in front, the left
company began firing to the front, and two
of his party fell from their saddles dead
Captain Boswell, of the Engineers, and
Sergeant Cunliffe of the signal corps. Spur
ring his horse across the road to his right,
he was met by a second volley from the
right company of Pender's North Carolina
brigade. Under this volley, when
not two rods from the troops, the General
received three balls at the same instant
One penetrated 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 left arm and passed out
through the left hand. But third ball
passed through the left arm halfway from
shoulder to elbow. The large bone of the
upper arm was splintered to the elbow
Joint, and the wound bled freely. His horse
turned quickly from the fire through the
thick bushes, which swept the cap from
the Generals head and scratched his fore
head, leaving drops of bloop to stain his
face. AS he lost his hold upon the Bride
rein be reeled from the saddle, and was
caught by the arms OF Captain Milbourne,
of the Signal corps i.IId upon the
ground, there at once came TO his succor
General A. P. Hill and members of his
staff.
1.-The writer reached his side a minute
after, to lind General Hill holding the head
and shoulders of the wounded chief Cut
ting open the cOat-sleeve from wrist to
shoulder, found the wound in the upper
arm, and with my handkerchief l bound
ba orf,, houa fla mound fn StaD, ba Hox5
of blood. Couriers were sent for Dr.
Hunter Mcclure, the surgeon of the corps
and the Generals trusted friend, and for an
ambulance, Being outside of our lines it
was urgent that he 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. 4 moment later artillery from the
Federal side was opened upon us great
broadsides Numbered over the woods hiss
ing shells searched the dark thIckets
through, and shrapnels swept The road
along which we moved.
1.-Two or three steps further and the lit
ter-bearsr at my side was struck and fell
but as the litter turned Major Watkins
Leigh, of Hills staff happily caught it.
But the fright OF the men was so great that
we were obliged to lay the litter and its
burden down upon the road As tbe litter
bearers ran to the cover OF the trees threw
myself by the Generals side and held him
firmly 70 the ground as lie attempted to
rise. over us swept the rapid fire of shot
and she!-graDeshOt striking fire u9On the
flinty rock OF the road al around Us, and
sweeping from lheir feet horses and men Of
the artillery inst moved to the front 5 pon
the firing Veered to the other side OF the
road and l sprang to my feet. assisted The
General 20 rise, passed nay arm around
hiE, and with the Wounded man weight
thrown heavily upon inc, We forsook the
road.
Entering the woods, he SAM, to the
ground from exhaustion. bist the litter was
soon brought, aud, again raiiying few
men, we essayed to carry him further v hen
a second bearer fell at my side. This Tins.
with none 10 assist, the litter careened, and
the General fell to the ground with a groan
of deem pain. Greatly alarmed, l sprang
TO his head, and lifting his head as a stray
beam OF moonlight came through clouds
and leaves, he opened his eyes and YEARLY
said Never mind me, Captain, never
mind me Raising him again to his feet,
he was sccosted by Brigadier General Pen
der: Oh, General, | hope you are not
seriously wounded | 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, General
Fender; you must hold your ground, sir =
And so uttered bis last command on the
field