The Battle of Chancellorsville was Lee’s and Jackson’s shining moment. Despite the fact that they faced an army twice the size of theirs, Lee daringly split his force and sent Jackson around the Union flank—a move that resulted in perhaps the Army of the Potomac’s most stunning defeat of the war. When nightfall halted the attack, Jackson rode forward to reconnoiter the territory for another assault. But as he and his aides rode back to the lines, a group of Rebels opened fire. Jackson was hit three times, and a Southern bullet shattered his left arm, which had to be amputated the next day. Soon, pneumonia set in, and Jackson began to fade. He died, as he had wished, on the Sabbath, May 10, 1863, with these last words: “Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”
One of the world’s best dying statements. A great man and a great leader.
Sorry, citation didn’t print
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-j-stonewall-jackson-dies
You’ve probably already read it but if not then anyone interested in the Civil War should read “Gods and Generals” by Jeff Shaara. The movie does not do this book credit. One of the best Civil War books I’ve read. Tells the “story” of the war from start to finish from the point of view of the Generals on both sides.
Amen.
Lets here it for North Carolina marksmanship.