96 Southern Historical Society Papers.
" If I had not been wounded or had one hour more of daylight, I would have cut off the enemy from the road to the United States ford and we could have had them entirely surrounded. Then they would have been obliged to surrender or cut their way out; they had no other alternative. My troops sometimes failed to drive the ene- my from a position, but the enemy always . fails to drive my men from a position.
This was said with a smile.
Monday he was removed to Chancellor's House. He was cheer- ful. He spoke of the gallant bearing of General Rodes and of the heroic charge of the old Stonewall Brigade. He made inquir- ies concerning many officers and said :
" The men who live through this war will be proud to say, 'I was one of the Stonewall Brigade,' to their children."
He insisted that the term " Stonewall' 1 belonged to the brigade and not to him.
Tuesday his wounds were improving. He asked Dr. McGuire :
" Can you tell me from the appearance of the wounds, how long I will be kept from the field?"
When told he was doing remarkably well, he was much pleased.
Wednesday night, however, while his surgeon who had not slept several nights previous, was asleep, General Jackson complained of nausea, and ordered his nurse to place a wet towel over his stomach. This was done, and about daylight the surgeon was awakened by the nurse, who said that the General was suffering with pain in the right side, due to incipient pneumonia.
Thursday Mrs. Jackson arrived, greatly to the joy of the Gen- eral, and she faithfully nursed him to the end. In the evening all pain vanished, but he suffered much from prostration.
Friday morning the pain had not returned, but the prostration was increased. Saturday there \7as no change in his condition.
Sunday morning, when it was apparent that he was sinking rapidly, Mrs. Jackson was informed of his condition, and she imparted the knowledge to the General. He said :
" Very good, very good, it is all right."
He had previously declared that he considered " these wounds a blessing." He sent messages to all the generals, and expressed a desire to be buried at Lexington, Va.
About 3:30 o'clock, May 10, 1863, Stonewall Jackson passed over the river of rest. His military achievements are without par- allel in history.
