Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-12-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
Death of stonewaIl jackson.

Captain James Power Smith, of
Jacllson's staff, describes Stonewall
Jacksons last Battle in the October
Century. From his article We quote
the following:
" When jackson had reached the
point where his line now crossed the
turnpike, scarce mile west of Chan
ccllorsville, aud not half a mile from
a line of Federal troops, he had found
his front line unfit for the farther and
vigorous advance he desired, by rea-
son of the irregular character of the
fighting, and because of the dense
thickets, through which it was impos-
sible to preserve alignment. Division
commanders found it more and more
difficult as the twilight deepened to
hold their broken brigades in hand.
Regretting the necessity of relieving
the troops in front, General 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 turn
pike, followed by two or three of his
staff and number of couriers and sig
nal-sergcants. He passed the swampy
depression and begun the the ascent of
the hill towards Charlottesville, when
he came upon line of the Federal
infantry lying on their arms. Fired
at by one or two muskets (two mus
ket balls from the enemy whistled
over my head as l came to the front),
he turned and came back towards his
line, upon the side of the road to his
left. AS he rode near to the Confed-
crate 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
tlleir saddles dcad-Captain Boswell
of the Engineers and Sergeant Gun
life of the Signal Corps. Squirting
his horse across the road to his right,
he was met by 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 out
through the left hand. But third
ball passed through the left arm half
way 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 forehead, leaving drops of blood
to stain his face. As he lost hold
upon the bride rein, lie reeled from
the saddle, and was caught by the
arms of Captain Milbourne of the
Signal Corps. Laid upon the ground,
there came at once to his succOr
Gen. A. p. Hill and members of his
staff. The writer reached his side
minute after, to find Gen. Hill hold
ing the head 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 DR.. Hunter Mcclure, the surgeon
of the corps and the Generals trust
ed friend, and for an ambulance
Being outside of our lines. it was ur-
gent 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. A mo-
ment after, artillery from the Federal
side was opened upon US; great
broadsides thundered over the woods :;
Kissing shells searched 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
Maj. 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 bur-
den down upon the road. AS the
litter-bearers ran to the cover of the
trees. I 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