Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-10-04
Thc 5Death oGStanewaI! gacason.

Thc De:ath oGstonewaI9 gacisson.
Captain James Power Smith describes
Stonewall Jackson's last battle III the Octo
ber Century. From his article we quote
the following:
when jackson had reached tbs
point where his line now crossed the
turnpike, scarcely a mile west Of Chancel-
lorsvlie, Snd uot haIfa mile FROM a line Of
Federal troops, lie had found his front line
unfit for tho farther and vigorous advance he
desired, by reason Of the irreguIsr cllarac
ter Of the fighting, anG because o.
the dense ,hickets, through which it .eas
impossible to preserve alignment. Division
commanders found it more and more dilli.
cult as the twilight deepened TO mold their
broken brigedes in hand. Regretting the
necessity CT relieving the troops in trout.
General Jackson bad orderad A. p. Hll's
division, his third aud reserve line, TO be
placed in front. While this change WAS be-
ing effected. impatient aud anxious The gen
eral rode forward on tee turnpike, followed
by two or three Of his staff aud \ number of
couriers and signal-sergeAnts. He passed
the swampy depression and began tbs as
cent Of the hill toward charlottesville,
when he came upon line Of the Federal
luldbtIy lying lHclE uTuIS. rIE9u &G OV
one or two muskets two musket balls from
the enemy whl3tled over my head as came
to the froat), he turned and came back to-
ward his line upon the side OF the road to bis
left. AS he rode near to the Confederate
troops just placed in position, and ignorant
that he was in the frCnt, the left COMPANY
began firing 20 the front, and two ofkis par
ty fell from their saddles dead-Captain Bos-
well Of the Engineers and Sergeant Cunli1le
Of the Signal Corps. SpurrlDg 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 tive rods from the
troops, the general received three balls at
the same instant. One penetrated the palm
OF hg right hand and was cut out that night
from the back Of his hand 4 second passed
around the wrist of The left arm and out
through the left band. But third ball
passed through the left arm halfway from
shoulder to elbow The large bona cf the
upper arm was spint~red TO the elbow. Joint
and the wound b!ed freely. His horse
turned quickly from the fire, through the
thick bushes, which swept tie cap from the
generals head end scratched MS forehead,
leaving drops Of blood 10 stain his face As
he lost his hold upon the bride reiD, be
reeled from the saddle, and was caught
b1 the arin5 Of Captain M!ibourne Of the
Signal Corps. Lsid Upon tue ground, there
came at once 10 his Succnr Gen. a. =. Hill
and members Of his staff The writer reached
his side minnie after, IN find Gen. Fill
holding the head and shoulders Of the
wounded chief. Cutting open the coat
sleeve from wrist TO shoulder, / found tho
wound in the upper arm, ant with my cAnG-
Of | h. n,>- Il
| to stem the flow Of blood. Couriers wera
sent for Dr. Hunter McGuire. the surgeon
| Of the corps and the Generals ,rusted friend
and for an ambulance. Being outside Of our
| lines, it was urgent that ne should he moved
at once. Vita officially iit:cr-senrer5 were
| brought from the line neHr ry, tGu general
| placed upon the litter, and carefuny raised
| to the shoulder, myself bearing 0lta cor
! ner. moment after, artillery from tie
| Federal side was openet unun ue; great
brcadsides thunlered over me woods: his,
| ing shells searched the aark thicEcts through
and shrapnels swept tu2 rasG siong which
we moved. Two CT three scHa f9Tiber, and
| the litter-bearer q: rnc side nes struck snd
fell, but, as the litter turned, Maj Wstkins
Leigh, of HiI'a stall. happily caught il. Blu,
the fright CT The men was SO great that we
we're obliged to lay ;he litter and It's burden
down upon the road. As til" iit.e.. bearers
ran to the cover Of the trecs. threw my
self by the Generals side, and reld him
firmly to the ground as be attempted ,c
rise. Over us swept the rapid fire CT shot
and shell-grape. shot striking fire upon
the 1inty rock of the road all around us, and
sweeping from their feet horses aud men ot
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 sround him
and with the wounded man IS weight thrown
heavily upon me, We forsook the road. En-
tering the woods, hs sank to the ground
from exhaustion but the litter was soon
brought, and again rallying a few men, We
essayed to carry him farther, when seconj
bearer fell at my side. This time, with
mono to assist, the litter careened, aud the
General fell to the ground with groan ot
deep pain, Greatly alarmed, | spr&ng &c
his head, and, lifting his head IS 2 stray
beam of moonlight came through clouds
and leaves, he opened his eyes and wearil!
said, Never mind me, Captain, never mint
ne.' Raising him again to his feet, he wa
accosted by Brigadier- General Pender 'Oh
General, l hope you are not seriousl,
wounded. will have to retire my troop
to re form them, they are so much broker
by this fire. But Jackson, rallying hi
strength, with firm voice said. You mus
hold your ground, General Pender, yo,
must hold your ground, sir 7 and 80 uttered
his last command on the feld.n