Monument to Stonewall Jackson at Bull Run. Read John Hennessy's take on his nickname. |
STONE BRIDGE LOOKING WEST
"It was an appalling hour. The shot whistled and tore through trees and bones. The ground became literally paved with the fallen. Yet the remnant stood composed and unquailing, carefully loading, steadily aiming, unerringly firing, and then quietly looking to see the effect of their shots. Mere boys fought like veterans — unexcited, save with that stern "white heat," flameless exhilaration, that battle gives to brave spirits.
"After eight or ten rounds the regiment appeared annihilated. The order was reluctantly given to cease firing and retire. The stubborn fellows gave no heed. It was repeated. Still no obedience. The battle spirit was up. Again it was given. Three volleys had been fired after the first command. At length they retired, walking and fighting. Owing to the density of the growth, a part of the regiment were separated from the colors. The other part formed in an open field behind the thicket. The retreat continued over ground alternately wood and field. At every open spot they would reform, pour a volley into the pursuing enemy and again retire."
-- Confederate soldier on fighting near the Stone Bridge early on July 21
LOOKING TOWARD STONE HOUSE, HENRY HILL FROM MATTHEWS HILL
"I cannot here relate all the scenes I saw, the horrible wounds inflicted, and all the incidents of this most shameful and unnecessary battle – for which the troops feel they were sacrificed by the stupidity of their generals. Suffice it to say our men fought bravely; and I can only account for the panic with which they were seized by the facts that the teamsters took fright and drove their wagons pell mell through them, and that many of the regiments had totally incompetent field and company officers – many of whom acted cowardly – and the most of whom didn’t know what to do."
-- Colonel John Ellis, a volunteer in the 71st New York
HENRY HILL LOOKING TOWARD MATTHEWS HILL
"The contest that ensued was terrific. Jackson ordered me to go from battery to battery and see that the guns were properly aimed and the fuses cut the right length. This was the work of but a few minutes. On returning to the left of the line of guns, I stopped to ask General Jackson’s permission to rejoin my battery. The fight was just then hot enough to make him feel well. His eyes fairly blazed. He had a way of throwing up his left hand with the open palm toward the person he was addressing. And as he told me to go, he made this gesture. The air was full of flying missiles, and as he spoke he jerked down his hand, and I saw that blood was streaming from it. I exclaimed, 'General, you are wounded?' He replied, as he drew a handkerchief from his breast-pocket, and began to bind it up, 'Only a scratch — a mere scratch,' and galloped away along his line."
-- Confederate General John Imboden on fighting at Henry Hill
WHERE JACKSON'S WOUND WAS TREATED
"On his way to the rear, the wound pained him so much that he stopped at the first hospital he came to, and the surgeon there proposed to cut the finger off; but while the Doctor looked for his instruments, and for a moment turned his back, the General silently mounted his horse, rode off, and soon afterwards found me. I was busily engaged with the wounded, but when I saw him coming, I left them, and asked him if he was seriously hurt. 'No,' he answered, 'not half as badly as many here, and I will wait.' And he forthwith sat down on the bank of a little stream near by, and positively declined any assistance until 'his turn came!' ”
-- Dr. Hunter McGuire on Stonewall Jackson's wound at First Battle of Bull Run
WHERE JEFFERSON DAVIS MET JACKSON AFTER BATTLE
"Give me ten thousand men and I shall take Washington City tomorrow.”
-- Stonewall Jackson to Confederate president Jefferson Davis.
The Rebels, however, were too disorganized to follow up on their great victory at Bull Run.
I am in awe of your passion and talent. John, every post you make is a full course of educational excellence.
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks for kind words, David...
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