Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-10-08

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Captain James Power Smith describes
Stonewall JAcksons last battle in the October
Century. From his article we quote "When
jackson had reached the point where his line
now crossed the turnpike, scarcely a mile west
OF Charlottesville, 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 irregu-
lar character Of the fighting, now right, now
left, and because of the dense thicketa
through which it was impossible to preserve
alignment. Division commanders found it
more and more difficult AZ ihs twilight deep
ened to hold their broken brigades in hand
Regretting the necessity of relieving the
troops in front, Gen. jackson had ordered A.
p. 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, follow
ed by two or three of his staff aud number
Of couriers and signal-sergeants He passed
the swampy depression and began the ascent
Of the hill toward Chaucslorsville, when he
came upon line of the federal infantry ly-
ing on their arms. Fired at by one or two
muskets 1.-TWO mu3ket 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. 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 desd-Oaptain Boswell of the engin-
eers and Sergeant Ounlife of the signal
corps. Squirting his horse across the road to
his right, he was met by a second volley from
the right company of Pender's North Caro-.
lima 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 his left
arm and out through the left hand. But a
third ball passed through the left arm half
way from shoulder to elbow. The large bone
OF the upper arm was splintered to the ell
bow 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 blood to stain his face.
AS he lost his hold upon the bridle-rein, he
reeled from the saddle and was caught by
the arms of Captain Mlbourne of the signal
corps. Laid upon the ground, there came at
once to his succor Gen. A. p. Hill and mem.
beers Of his staff The writer reached his
side minute after, TO find Gen. Hill holding
the head and shoulders of the wounded chief.
Cutting open the coat sleeve from wrist to
arm, and with my handkerchief bound the
arm above the wound to stem the flow of
blood. Oouriers were sent for Dr. Hunter
McGuire, the surgeon of the corps and the
generals trusted friend, and for an ambu-
lance. Being outside of our lines il was
urgent that he should be moved at once.
With difficulty litter-bearers were brought
from the line near by, the general placed up.
on the litter and carefully raised to the
WVaalC L.n-
moment after, artillery from the federal side
was opened upon us; great broadsldes thun-
dered over the woods; kissing shells search.
ed the dark thickets through, and shrapnels
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, Major Watkins Leigh, OF Hills staff,
happily caught it. But the fright of the men
was 30 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 at.
tempted to rise. Over us swept the rapid
hre OF shot and shell-grape-shot striking
hre upon the tiinty 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 eide of
the road, and 1 sprang to my feet assisted
tne general 10 rise, passed my arm around
him, aud with the wounded mans weight
thrown heavily upon me, we forsook the road
Entering the woods, he sank to the ground
from exhaustion; but the litter was soon
brought, and again rallying 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 groan of deep pain.
Greatly alarmed l sprang to his head, and,
lifting his head as a stray beam of moonlight
came through the 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 accosted by
Brigadier General Fender; oh, General,
hope you are not seriously wounded. 1 will
have to retire my troops to reform them,
they are so much broken by this fire. But
Jackson, ralying his strength, with firm
voice said, You must hold your ground, sir =
and so uttered his last command on the field"