Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-05-29


In the winter OF 1863 General Lees
army was located on the south side of the
Rappahannock river, near Fredericksburg,
Va, and General Hooker'S army was on
the opposite side, with six corps, NUM-
bering about 10000 soldiers. General
Lee had three corps, which aggregated
about 35, 900 men. During the winter he
had sent General Longstreet's corps to
the southwest, thus reducing his force to
$1,000. General Hooker crossed the
Rappahannock with his splendid army
the latter part of April, and made prepara-
tions to attack Lee. But General Lee did |
not wait for his onslaught, and he FORTH
with ordered Stonewall Jackson, with
22,000 men, to attack Hooker's army in
the rear. 1t was May 2, 1868, 30 years
ago, when Stonewall Jackson put his
army in motion to reach the desired po-
sition, about % miles distant; and If was
5 .. m. when he ordered his legions for
ward for battle. The attack was 50 sud-
den and terrific that the Federal troops
were routed in utmost confusion. The
Confederates continued TO advance until
about p m. Jackson had paralyzed the
right wing of the Federal army, nd the
Federal soldiers were stampeded in con-
fusion and disorder upon the centre OF
Hooker's reserves.
But the thick underground rendered
rapid pursuit almost impossible at night.
AT The time the Confederate lines became
somewhat entangled, in consequence OF
darkness and thick undergrowth, and it
was necessary TO halt the Confederate
force in order to reform the regiments.
To complete the victory Jackson was
about to swing his force Between Hook
er's army and the Rappahannock river,
and then cut off the retreat OF the Federal
army.
AT the critical moment, accompanied by
Capt. r. E. Wilbourn and Capt. William
Randolph, with half dozen couriers and
two men of the original corps, Jackson
rode forward to determine the exact loca-
ton of the enemy, who were within 2OO
yards, and no pickets had been establish
ed between the opposing forces. Such
was Jackson's srdor at this crisis OF the
battle that he continued his way
without thought OF personal danger. One
OF his staff officers, realizing the peril to
which the General was exposed, ventur-
ed TO remark:
General, don't you think this is the
wrong place for you ?"
"The danger is all over" he replied.
"Go back and tell A. p. Hill TO press for
ward"
Then Jackson continued forward, and
had advanced about 100 yards beyond
his line, when suddenly volley was
fired by his own soldiers, apparently at
him and his escort. Jackson received
three wounds, two balls entering the left
arm, severing the artery, and one the
right arm. All who were with hin, ex-
cepting Captain Wilbourn and Mr.. Wynn,
were killed or wounded. The firing
ceased as suddenly as it had begun.
Captain Wilbourn, near Jackson, said:
General, they must be our men," to
which he asSented with nod, but said
nothing.
He looked toward his men with aston
ishment, as if unable TO realize that he
could have been fired at by his own
troops. He was taken from his horse, !
and soon General Hill rode up, express
ing regrets, and took command.
The enemy were not above lG0 yards |
distant, and Jackson was removed TO the
rear with much difficulty. As he was
being carried back, General Pender rec
ognized Jackson, and exclaimed
ooh, General, | am so sorry TO see
you wounded My force is SO shattered
that fear will have TO retreat"
Although exhausted by the loss OF
blood, Gene raj Jackson raised his droop-
ing head, and said:
General Pender, you must hold your
ground, sir; you must hold your ground,
SIR" This was the last order of Stone
wall Jackson on the battlefield.
After reaching the hospital at Wilder
ness Run, he was asked, if il were found
necessary to amputate the arm, did he
approve ofit. He replied:
eyes, certainly, DR.. Mcclure; do for
me whatever you think proper"
The operation was performed under
the influence of chloroform. He bore il
well and slept soundly Sunday morning,
and was cheerful. He sent for Mrs.
Jackson, and asked Immediately about
the battle, saying:
"lf | had not been wounded, or had
one more hour Of daylight, ! would have
cut off the enemy from the road TO the
United States ford, and we would have
had them entirely surrounded. Then the
enemy would have been compelled TO
surrender or cut their way out they had
no other alternative. My troops some
times fail to drive the enemy from po-
sition, but the enemy alway fails TO drive
my men from desired position
This was said with smile
Monday he was removed to Chancel-
lor's House, and Jackson was cheerful.
He spoke of the gallant bearing of Cen
eral Rhodes, and of the heroic charge OF
the StonewaIl Brigade. He made iu-
quiries concerning many officers, and
said:
"The soldiers who survive this war
will be proud to say: 4 was one OF the
Stonewall Brigade" But he insisted
that the term "Stonewall'' did moi belong
to him exclusively-ihat his men won