Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-04-07
Last Days of General Jackson,


On Saturday evening, May I'd, he
rode out with his staff in front Of the
skirmishers, and when returning his
cavalcade was mistaken in the dark
ness by our men, who fred upon it,
thinking it body Of the enemy's
cavalry. He was struck by three
balls-one through his left arm, be-
low the shoulder, shattering the bone
and severing the chief artery another
ball passed through the same arm, be-
tween elbow and wrist third enter
ed the palm of the right hand, pass
ing through, and broke two of the bones.
At this time he was about fifty yards
in advance Of the enemy. He fell
from his horse and was caught by
Capt. Wormerly, to whom he re-
marked: CAL my wounds are by
my own men" He had given orders
to fire at anything coming up the
road before he left the lines, but the
enemy's skirmishers appeared, and
he turned to ride back Just then
some one cried out, cavalry !
"charge !" and Immediately the reg
iment fired.
Gen. Jackson was Immediately
placed on a litter and started for the
rear, when the firing was resumed by
both lines. One of the litter bearer:
was shot down, and the general fell
from the shoulders of the men, re-
ceiving a severe conclusion, and injur.
ing his side severely. The enemy
fire of artillery on the point was ter
rible. Gen. Jackson was then placed
in an ambulance and carried to the
field hospital at Wilderness Run. He
lost large amount Of blood, and told
DR.. Mcclure he thought he was dying
and would have bled to death, but g
tourDiquet was Immediately applied
For two hours he was nearly pulseles'
from the shock. AS he was carried
from the field, frequent inquiries were
made by soldiers, "Who have you
there2" He told the doctor, do not
tell the troops that l am wounded"
After consultation was held be-
tween Drs. Black, Coleman, Walls
and Mcclure, amputation was de-
cided upon. He wa, asked, "If we
find amputatiou necessary, shall it be
done at once ?" He replied, Eyes
certainly. DR.. Mcclure, do for me
whatever you think right" The op'
Grafton was performed while under
the influence of chloroform, and borne
well. He slept Sunday morning, was
cheerful and doing well. He sent
for Mrs. Jackson, and asked minutely
about the battle and said, "If we had
not been wounded, or had an hour
more Of daylight, l would have cut
off the enemy from the road to the
S. U. Ford, and we would have had
them entirely surrounded, and they
would have been obliged to surrender
or cut their way out they had no
other alternative. My troops some
time may fail in driving the enemy
from a position, but the enemy al
ways fail to drive my men from a
position" This was said smilingly.
He complained this day of the fall
from the litter did not speak of bis
wounds; he never spoke of them un'
less asked.
Monday he was carried to Chan
cellor's House he was cheerful, spoke
Of the battle, of the gallant bearing
Of Gen. Rhodes; of the grand charge
of his old Stonewall Brigade; asked
after his officers he talked more than
usual, and said 1.-THE men who live
through this war will be proud to say,
l was one of the Stonewall Brigade
to their children he insisted that
the term "Stonewall" belonged to
them, and not to him.
During his ride he complained
greatly of heat, and besides wet aP'
plications to the wound, begged that
wet cloth be applied to his stomach
which was done, greatly to his relief
He slept well Monday night and ate
with relish on next morning.
Tuesday-his wounds were doing
very well. He asked, "can you tell
me from the appearance Ofmy wounds
how long I will be kept from the
feld?" He was greatly satisfied wher
told they were doing remarkably
well.
wednesday-wOunds look remark