Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 32.djvu/107

 Stonewall Jackson's Death. 95

" General, don't you think this is the wrong place for you ? "

" The danger is all over," replied General Jackson, " the enemy is routed. Go back and tell A. P. Hill to press forward."

Then Jackson continued forward and had advanced about 100 yards beyond his line when suddenly a volley was fired by his own men, and apparently aimed at him and his staff.

Jackson received three wounds, two balls entering the left arm, severing the artery, and one the right arm. All his escort excepting Captain Wilbourn and Mr. Wynn, of the signal corps, were killed or wounded. The firing ceased as suddenly as it had begun. Cap- tain Wilbourn, standing near Jackson, said:

" General, they must certainly be our men," to which he assented with a nod, but said nothing.

He looked toward his lines with apparent astonishment, as if un- able to realize that he could have been fired at by his own troops. He was taken from his horse, and soon General A. P. Hill rode up and expressed his regret.

The enemy was not more than one hundred yards distant, and it was necessary to remove Jackson, as the battle was likely to be re- newed at any moment. He was carried to the rear with much diffi- culty through the undergrowth.

General Pender recognized General Jackson as he was being carried through the lines, and said:

" Oh, General; I am sorry to see you wounded ! My force is so much shattered that I fear I will have to fall back."

Although much exhausted by loss of blood, General Jackson raised his drooping head and exclaimed:

"You must hold your ground, sir! You must hold your ground !"

This was Jackson's last order on the battlefield. He was then placed in an ambulance and taken to the field hospital at Wilder- ness run. He lost a great quantity of blood and would have bled to death, but a tourniquet was forthwith applied.

He was asked if amputation was necessary should it be done at once. He replied:

"Yes; certainly, Dr. McGuire; do for me whatever you think right."

The operation was performed under the influence of chloroform. The wounded soldier bore it well. He slept well Sunday morning and was cheerful. He sent for Mrs. Jackson and asked minutely about the battle, saying: