From the
Richmond
Dispatch, Tuesday,
5/12/1863
, p. 1
THE DEATH OF GENERAL JACKSON.
THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.
Last evening Gen. Jackson’s remains were received in this
city at
4 o’clock
, from
Guinea
’s Depot, in Caroline co. The announcement that they would arrive at
12 o’clock
caused an entire suspension of all business in the city, and a turn out at the
depot of nearly all the inhabitants of the city, who were anxious to pay the
last tribute of respect to the departed chieftain. When it was known that the
body would not reach the city before
4 o’clock
, the immense crowd slowly dispersed, but assembled again at the last hour
indicated in even greater force than before. The tolling of the different bells
gave the signal that the cars were slowly wending their way down
Broad street
, when preparations were made for the reception of the body by an appropriate
disposition of the military.
The train was stopped at the corner of 4th and
Broad streets, and after a short delay the coffin containing the body was
removed to the hearse in attendance. It was enveloped in the flag of the
Confederacy. On the flag was placed wreaths of evergreen and rare flowers. A few
minutes before
5 o’clock
Gen. Elzey gave the command, and the procession started, marching in the
following order:
Gen. Elzey and Staff, mounted; the Public Guard, Lieut.
Gay, commanding; the 44th N. C. Regiment, Pettigrew’s brigade, Col.
Singletary commanding; the Armory Band, playing a funeral dirge; Col. Frank
Skinner, 1st Va. regiment, and some of the Governor’s Aids; the
hearse containing the body, surmounted by raven plumes, and drawn by two white
horses; the Staff of Gen. Jackson, including Major Pendleton, Adjutant General;
Major W. I. Hawks, Chief Commissary of the Corps; Major D. B. Bridgford, Chief
Provost; Capt. Douglas, Lieut. Smith, Aide-de-Camp; Dr. McGuire, Surgeon, and
others; the members of the City Council, two abreast, and lastly, an immense
host of citizens and strangers.
The procession thus formed, (the military with reversed
arms,) marched slowly to the corner of 9th street, and turned towards
Main, entering the Capitol Square by the gate on Grace street. The military
having formed a line extending across the Square past
Washington
’s monument, the body was slowly conveyed down the line to the Governor’s
mansion, and carried into the large reception room. The bells were tolled till
sundown, till which time hundreds of people remained on the Square. We have
never before seen such an exhibition of heartfelt and general sorrow in
reference to any other event whatever as has been evinced by all since the
announcement of the death of Stonewall Jackson.
The body was embalmed, and to day the remains will lie in
state in the Capitol.
HIS LAST MOMENTS.
About
11 o’clock
on Sunday it became known to his attending physician that there was no hope for
Gen. Jackson’s life. The General was informed of the fact, and was offered
stimulants to prolong his existence. - These he refused to take, and a short
time after his mind commenced to wander. Among his last words was a reference to
his men. He said, speaking of his Commissary: “Tell Maj. Hawkes to send
forward provisions to the men.”
About
1 o’clock
his wife entered the room, and took the last farewell which he bid on this
earth, and at 15 minutes past
3 o’clock
his spirit ascended to its Giver.
GEN. LEE’S ORDER AFTER GEN. JACKSON’S DEATH.
The following is Gen. Lee’s order to the army after the
intelligence of Gen. Jackson’s death:
HEADQ’RS ARMY
NORTHERN VA.
May 11, 1863
.
General Orders, No.
61.
With deep grief the commanding General announces to the
army the death of Lieut.-General T. J. Jackson, who expired on the 10th
inst., at 3˝ P. M. The daring, skill, and energy of this great and good
soldier, by the decree of an all-wise
Providence
, are now lost to us. But while we mourn his death, we feel that his spirit
still lives, and will inspire the whole army with his indomitable courage and
unshaken confidence in God as our hope and our strength. Let his name be a
watchword to his corps, who have followed him to victory on so many fields. Let
officers and soldiers emulate his invincible determination to do everything in
the defence of our beloved country.
R. E. LEE, General.
THE LETTER OF GEN. LEE TO GEN. JACKSON.
The letter written by Gen. Lee to General Jackson before
the death of the latter, is as follows:
CHANCELLORSVILLE
, May 4th.
General - I have
just received your note informing me that you were wounded. I cannot express my
regret at the occurrence. Could I have dictated 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.
Most truly yours,
R. E. LEE
To Gen’l T. J.
Jackson
THE FUNERAL PAGEANT TO-DAY.
There will be a procession formed this morning at 10
o’clock precisely from the mansion of the Governor, to proceed down Governor
st. to Main, thence up Main to Second, thence along Second to Grace, thence by
the west gate of the Capitol Square to the Capitol, where the body will be
deposited in State, in the Hall the Hall of Congress.
The procession will be under the charge of Gen. George W.
Randolph, as Chief Marshal, with such number of assistants as he may select.
The order of procession will be as follows:
Military escort, composed of such force of the Confederate
Government as may be detailed for the purpose;
The Public Guard;
The Hearse;
Pall Bearers, composed of six Major or Brigadier Generals, who are requested to
attend and officiate as such;
The family and personal friends of the deceased;
Any portion of the old “Stonewall Brigade,” wounded or other, who may be
able to attend;
Officers of the Army and Navy not in command at present;
The President and Vice-President of the Confederacy;
The Heads of Departments of the Confederate Government and their clerks. - Each
Department will be organized by its head, or such officer as he may select for
the purpose;
The Judiciary and District-Attorney, and attachees of the Judiciary Department;
The Governor and his aids;
The Secretary of the Commonwealth, Attorney General, Auditor of Public Accounts,
Treasurer, Second Auditor, Register of the Land Office, and their Clerks;
The Court of Appeals and Judges of Circuit Courts;
The Board of Public Works and its Clerk;
The Adjutant General and his Clerks; Inspector-General, Quartermaster-General,
Paymaster-General, and Ordnance Departments of the State Government ad their
Clerks;
The Mayor of the City;
Members of the City Council and its Officers;
Court of Hustings, Sergeant, Sheriff, and their Officers;
All Benevolent Societies who may wish to join the procession;
Citizens and strangers.
The Governor requests that the arrangement above indicated will be preserved,
and that the procession be promptly formed.
By order of the Governor.
GEORGE W. MUNFORD,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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last updated on
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