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Chapter 8 Chancellorsville Early next morning, May 2nd, Jackson’s Corps was on the march by way of the Catherine Furnace towards the Brock Road.The Infantry had flankers, or skirmishers, out, but the road was so narrow and the woods so thick, that often the line of flankers was within a few steps of the column. Occasionally in the clear space I could see a Cavalry vidette. Col. Crutchfield rode at the head of the column with General Jackson, General J. E. B. Stuart, MajorVon Bourck, Major Chew, and several other officers.When I reached the Plank Road I saw General Jackson and another officer ride along that road and stop at a turn of the same for observation.They then rode back and the column kept on the Brock Road until it reached the Old Orange Turnpike.While approaching the latter General Stuart was with the Cavalry skirmishers .They were advancing through a field covered with broom straw and bushes.The line hesitated a little,whereupon General Stuart called out to them,“Go ahead,there is nothing but Cavalry there.”Finally the old turnpike was reached a little east of the Wilderness Tavern.There were woods on each side.The Infantry commenced to arrive and was at once deployed.The officers were warned not to give their orders in a loud voice.There were twelve or more officers in a group on the road, when Major Von Bourck and another officer rode towards the east to reconnoiter.They returned in a short time and reported that one had climbed a tree and had seen the enemy’s position.They had two guns pointing towards the west, but the men were evidently not expecting an attack, as they were laying around smoking, some playing cards, and a little back from the road were preparing food.About that time a report came that the enemy had attacked the column on the road near the Catherine Furnace, and Col. Crutchfield dispatched Chancellorsville 41 several couriers at different times to the Battalions of Artillery and for the wagon train to take another road, and come to the Wilderness Tavern. It took considerable time for the Infantry to arrive and deploy . Evening was approaching and I was ordered to proceed to Wilderness Tavern and await the train.While I was there the order to advance was given, and the pursuit was so rapid that it was quite dark before I reached the front. I was not able to find Col. Crutchfield.At last I attached my horse to a tree and lay on the ground and slept until daylight.Next morning I found lying near the side of the turnpike the body of Col. Frank Mallory, of the 55thVirginia Infantry.There were many more dead Confederates.Col.Mallory was the son of a neighbor of my father and college mate of my older brother. I cut a lock of hair from his head to carry to his family. I then inquired for Col. Crutchfield and learned that he had been wounded the evening before; also General Jackson. I then went back to the hospital near the Wilderness Tavern, and as the Surgeon, Dr. McGuire, was about to operate on Col. Crutchfield’s wounded leg and needed assistance, I remained and held cotton saturated with chloroform to his nose, while Surgeon McGuire removed the pieces of broken bone from his wound. The third day of the Battle of Chancellorsville was being fought at that very time.That night I slept in the HospitalTent. General Jackson was lying wounded in the next tent and I heard one of his staff read the message of condolence from General Lee to him. One of General Jackson ’s couriers was lying in the tent shot in the stomach. He asked me to get him some water. I did so.When we awoke next morning he was dead. General Jackson was then placed in an ambulance and sent to Guinney’s Station,and Col.Crutchfield was sent to his father’s farm in Spottsylvania County, about twenty miles distant. He left his horse in my care. General Jackson died in about one week. Col. Crutchfield was disabled for eighteen months and never returned to his position as Chief of Artillery of the 2nd Corps.The Battle of Chancellorsville was over when I rode to the front and reported to Col. J.T. Brown, who said he would be glad to have me remain at his Headquarters,but he had...

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