The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-05-26

/ the junction of the Orange and
Germanna roads, a heavy Union
picket was forced to retire. Gen.
/ Fitz Lee then informed Jackson
4 that from a hill near at hand he
could obtain view of the Union
works. aud proceeding To the DIES
! ignated point. jackson reconnoi-
tered the field. This reconnaiS
Sauce showed him that he was
not far enough 10 the left, and he
said briefly to an aide, TEL my
column to cross that road. point
ing to the plankroad. His object
was to reach the "Old turnpike
which ran in straight line down
into the Union right flank. II
was reached about ) o'clock in the
evening. aud without a moments
delay Jackson formed his line of
battle for an attack. Rhodes
division moved in front, support
ed at an interval OF 200 yards by
ColStou's and behind these A. p.
Hills division marched in col
umn like the artillery. on ac-
count of the almost impenetrable
nature of the thicketS on each
side of the road. JackSOn'S as.
Sault was sudden and terrible.
1t struck the eleventh corps,
commanded by General o. o.
Howard, which completely sur
pri>ed. retleated in confusion
upon the heavy works around
charlottesville. Rhodes and
ColSton quickly following them,
took possession of the breast
works across the road. and lit
tie past $ o'clock the Confcder-
ateS were within Il mile of Chan
cellorSville, preparing for new
and more determined attack.
JackSou'S scheme was worthy of
his military talent. He designed
putting his entire force into ac-
ton, extending his left and plac-
ING that wing between General
Hooker and the Rappahannock
Then. unless the Union comman.
der could cut his way out his en-
tire army would be captured or
destroyed. jackson commenced
the execution of his plan with
yigor. Rhodes and ColstOn were
directed to retire a short distance
and reform their lines, which had
become greatly mingled, and Hill
was ordered to the front to take
their places.
Filled with enthusiasm with
his great design, jackson then
rode forward in front of his
troops towards Charlottesville,
and here and then the fatal bull
let. which was destined to termi-
nate his career, struck him down.
The details which follow are
given on the authority of Jack
sons Statl officers. and several
others who witnessed the scene.
In relation to he most tragic por-
ton of the scene, there remained
but single witness.
General jackson had ridden
forward to reconnoitre. and aScer,
tain if possible, in spite OF the
darkness of the night, the posi-
ton of the Union lines. 1t was a
moonlight night. but the lumi
nary was struggling with a bank
of heavy clouds, and emitted but
a feeble light. From the gloomy
tmcketS on each side of the turn
pike, looking weird and ghoStly
i'll the dim light, came the mel
ancholy chirp of the whippoor,
will. Il think there must have
been 10000" said Gen. Stuart,
some time after the occurrence.
General jackson had now adj
vanced with some members of his
staff, considerably beyond the
building known as Judge Chan
cellor'S, about a mile beyond
Charlottesville and had reached
a point nearly opposite an old
dlSmantled house in the woods
near the road, when he refined in
his horse, and remaining perfect
~ quiet and motionleSS, listened
intently for any indications of a
movement in the Union lines.
They were nearly 200 yards in
front of him, and seeing the dan
ger to which he was exposed, one
of his staff said:
General. don't you think this
is the wrong place for you!"
He replied quickly, almost i'm,
patiently, The danger is all
over! the enemy is rounted-go
back and tell a. p. Hill to press
right onw
The officer obeyed, but had
hardly disappeared when a sud
den volley was fired from the
! Confederate infantry in JackSon'S
rear, and on the right of the road
evidently directed upon him and
his escort. The origin of this fir,
ing is a mystery. 1t is probable,
however, that some movement of
the Union skirmishers had pro
yoked this fire, or if this be an
error, the troops had fired upon