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Let Us Cross the River — the Last Days of Stonewall Jackson, Confederate Legend
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During the Battle of Chancellorsville (April 30–May 6, 1863), Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson led a legendary attack against the right flank of the Union Army and crushed the Union 11th Corps. This forced the Federals to fall back toward Chancellorsville and contributed to the Confederate victory. However, after the flank attack, Jackson went to scout the Union lines and was mistakenly fired on by Confederate pickets. Jackson’s wounds were severe, and doctors amputated his left arm. Within a few days, he developed pneumonia and died on May 10. Before he took his last breath, Jackson said, “Let us cross the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.”
When Virginia seceded from the Union (April 17, 1861), Governor John Letcher ordered Jackson and his cadets to Richmond on April 21, 1861, to serve as drillmasters for new army recruits.
Jackson Joins the Confederate Army
Eight days later, the governor ordered Jackson to take command at Harpers Ferry, where he organized the troops that would soon comprise the famous “Stonewall Brigade.”
On June 17, 1861, Jackson received a commission as a Brigadier General in the Confederate Army. He was promoted to Major General on October 7, 1861, and then to Lieutenant General on October 10, 1863.
Jackson Becomes Stonewall
Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall” when his brigade stood its ground during the First Battle of Bull Run.
Around noon, the Confederate line started to collapse under intense Union pressure. Facing heavy fire, Jackson's soldiers remained disciplined and held their ground, prompting Brigadier General Barnard Elliott Bee, Jr. to proclaim:
“There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Rally behind the Virginians!”
His performance at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Fredericksburg is legendary in Southern annals.
The following account of Jackson’s last days is adapted from the Memoirs of Stonewall Jackson, which were published by his wife, Anna.
May 2, Saturday — After he was shot, Jackson was removed from the battlefield and was tended to by Dr. Hunter H. McGuire, who asked him if he knew how badly he was injured. Jackson told him, “' I am badly injured, doctor; I fear I am dying. I am glad you have come. I think the wound in my shoulder is still bleeding.”
McGuire stopped Jackson’s bleeding and then had him transported to the makeshift hospital at the Wilderness Tavern. Jackson was moved to a bed and given water and whiskey to help ease his pain.
Meanwhile, General J.E.B. Stuart assumed Jackson’s command and rallied the men by shouting, “Charge! And remember Jackson!”
This illustration depicts Jackson after he was wounded at Chancellorsville.Photo byLibrary of Congress
May 3, Sunday — Around 2:00 a.m., McGuire gave Jackson chloroform and then examined his wounds, with the help of three surgeons. They found they had to amputate his left arm, about two inches below the shoulder.
Around 3:30, an officer visited Jackson and asked him for orders. For a brief moment, witnesses thought Jackson had died. However, his “eye flashed its old fire” and he instructed the officer to tell General J.E.B. Stuart, who had taken command, to “do what he thinks best.”
By morning, Jackson was free of pain and sent a messenger to tell his wife, Mary, what happened and to bring her to him. Later, he received a note from General Lee that said:
“I have just received your note, informing me that you were wounded. I cannot express my regret at the occurrence. Could I have directed events, I should have chosen, for the good of the country, to have been disabled in your stead. I congratulate you upon the victory which is due to your skill and energy.”
Around 10, Jackson started to suffer intense pain in his right side, but the doctors were unable to determine the cause. It finally subsided around 8 p.m. Upon hearing the battle was still going in favor of the Confederate Army, Jackson praised his men, saying:
“The men of the brigade will be, someday. proud to say to their children, ‘I was one of the Stonewall Brigade.’” Jackson disclaimed any right of his own to the name Stonewall, saying “It belongs to the brigade, and not to me, for it was their steadfast heroism which earned it at First Manassas. They are a noble body of men.”
Jackson slept through the night, without further pain.
That morning, his wife Anna was finishing worship services when she was informed her husband had been wounded, but the severity was not known. She recalled the moment, saying:
“This painful shock can be better imagined than described. Although I had never for one moment since the war began lost my solicitude for his safety, still God had so often covered his head in the day of battle, had brought him through so many dangers, that I felt that his precious life would still be spared.”
May 4, Monday — The next morning, word came from Lee that the hospital was in danger of being captured by Union forces, and ordered Jackson to be moved to Guiney’s Station as soon as possible.
Jackson objected to being moved, as his wife had not yet arrived. He said, “...if the enemy does come, I am not afraid of them; I have always been kind to their wounded, and I am sure they will be kind to me.”
Late in the evening, Lee sent another message, ordering the men to remove Jackson from the hospital. This time, preparations were made.
May 5, Tuesday — Jackson was placed in an ambulance and taken to Guiney’s Station. Confederate soldiers cleared the road ahead of the ambulance and then removed their hats as Jackson passed by, many of them openly crying.
The ambulance arrived at the Chandler House around 8:00 p.m. Jackson had some bread and tea when he arrived, and then slept through the night.
During the day, Anna started her journey to meet her husband, accompanied by her brother, Joseph. Of course, Stonewall’s baby daughter, Julia, was with them. Joseph told her that Jackson’s arm had been amputated, but that his prognosis was good.
May 6, Wednesday — Jackson continued to recover from his wounds and even asked his doctors how long it would be until he could return to the field to lead his men. It was reported that he “ate heartily for one in his condition.”
May 7, Thursday — Around 1:00 a.m., Jackson started to feel sick to his stomach. By daylight, he was in considerable pain. Doctors examined him and discovered he had developed pneumonia in his right side.
Anna and Julia finally arrived at the Chandler House. Upon arrival, Anna asked one of the soldiers how Stonewall was doing. He answered “pretty well.” However, she said, “...from his tone and manner I knew some thing was wrong, and my heart sank like lead.”
Their presence raised Jackson’s spirits, and he started to feel better toward evening.
Soon after, he started to show signs of being delirious and would mutter orders to his men, as if he were commanding them in the field.
May 8–9, Friday and Saturday — Jackson’s fever and discomfort continued to increase.
During the afternoon, Jackson asked to see his chaplain, Beverly Tucker Lacy. They spoke briefly and Lacy asked if he could remain through Sunday. However, Jackson asked him to leave, so he could minister to his troops on the Sabbath.
On Saturday night, Anna offered to read to him from the Book of Psalms. At first, he declined, saying he was in too much pain, but changed his mind and said, “Yes, we must never refuse that. Get the Bible and read them.”
Later in the evening, he asked her to sing to him. She did so and was joined by her brother. The singing seemed to soothe him, and he drifted off to sleep.
May 10, Sunday — Around noon, Jackson asked, “Who is preaching at headquarters today?” When he was told it was Lacy — and that the entire army was praying for his recovery — he said, “Thank God; they are very kind.”
Meanwhile, Lee asked about Jackson’s condition, and said, “Surely General Jackson must recover. God will not take him from us, now that we need him so much. Surely he will be spared to us, in answer to the many prayers which are offered for him.”
As Lacy prepared to return to the Chandler House, Lee was overcome with emotion and told him:
“When you return, I trust you will find him better. When a suitable occasion offers, give him my love, and tell him that I wrestled in prayer for him last night as I never prayed, I believe, for myself.”
By the time Lacy returned, Jackson was failing. He was offered brandy, but refused it, saying “It tastes like fire, and cannot do me any good.” The doctors were sure the end was near. They told Jackson’s staff and his wife they had done all they could.
Anna insisted they tell Stonewall the truth about his condition. She said:
“I told Dr. Morrison that my husband must be informed of his condition. I well knew that death to him was but the opening of the gates of pearl into the inneffable glories of Heaven; but I had heard him say that, although he was willing and ready to die at any moment that God might call him, still he would prefer to have a few hours preparation before entering into the presence of his Maker and Redeemer.”
Anna went to Stonewall and told him the “doctors thought he would soon be in Heaven.” At first, she thought he did not understand the situation, so she repeated herself and asked if he “was willing for God to do with him according to His own will.”
He looked at her and said, “Yes, I prefer it, I prefer it.”
Jackson slowly slipped away, but not before the baby was brought in so that he could see her one last time. When he saw her, she exclaimed, “Little darling! sweet one!”
Soon after, Stonewall Jackson spoke his last words — “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.”
Upon hearing of Jackson’s death, Lee said, “I have lost my right arm and I’m bleeding at the heart.”
This painting by Louis Eckhardt depicts Robert E. Lee’s last visit to Stonewall Jackson’s grave.Photo byLibrary of Congress
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