Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/388

374 "It is good that we lay down our lives for the brethren."

The gloom and grief that followed the death of Jackson was typically told by the little girl who lived not far off, who said, "Mamma, I wish I could die instead of General Jackson, because only you and papa would cry. But if General Jackson dies all the people will cry."

Lee, the sublimest of our heroes, was providentially preserved—a Moses among his suffering people—to endure a living crucifixion and illustrate how God-like a mortal man may be, even a soldier and a civilian, and leave a flawless, incomparable example and imperishable fame.

These are the jewels; the Confederate people are the crown.

But they are gone, all but a remnant; so is, perhaps, their God-given civilization, born of generations. The other side, "our friends the enemy," are in the saddle. After this, mayhap, the deluge!

Typically considered, a Scottish poet put in verse and in truth:

Did ever poet write thus of a Puritan apostle? And why not? The analogy is lacking, forsooth.

At Spotsylvania, May 12, 1864, early in the morning, the Yankees, under Hancock, took the Confederate salient by penetrating the line extending from the left, then changing front and rushing torrentlike in the Confederate rear, while the troops within the salient were successful in front; moreover, certain Confederate artillery had been withdrawn in the night. Later in the day the salient was retaken after a desperate battle and heavy losses.

General J. E. B. Stuart died the evening of that day. Four days before, on May 8th, he parted from General Lee, and on May 11th fought Sheridan at Yellow Tavern, and was mortally wounded.