HIS 269 - The Civil War and Reconstruction
The Death of Stonewall Jackson
(part 3)
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Sunday, May 3:
Jackson awakened around 9:00 a.m. and felt strong enough to eat
breakfast, his first meal in two days. Dr. McGuire examined the general and
was pleased with his condition. Jackson seemed to be regaining his
strength, he was breathing normally, and the absence of chills or
fever indicated that serious infection had
not occurred. He complained of pain in the side where he had fallen
from the stretcher, but McGuire examined the area, found no bruising, and
determined that Jackson’s lungs seemed to be performing satisfactorily.
The pain soon abated, and Jackson dozed periodically but
was coherent and in good spirits when awake. Federal troops were
advancing toward the area of Wilderness Tavern, so that evening General
Lee sent an order urging Jackson to move to a safer
location.
Monday, May 4: Jackson began the 27-mile journey to the railhead at Guiney Station by way of Spotsylvania Courthouse. For much of the trip he seemed bright and talkative; then the pain in his side returned, along with nausea. Jackson was a great believer in hydrotherapy, and he asked for a wet towel on his stomach. McGuire saw no harm in this old homeopathic remedy, and Jackson felt relief from it. At around 8 p.m. Jackson arrived at Fairfield, the home of the Chandler family now serving as a hospital. He was carried inside to a bed, had some bread and tea, and fell asleep. Tuesday, May 5: Jackson awoke in good condition. He was doing “remarkably well,” McGuire thought. His wounds were healing and he felt strong enough for a hearty breakfast. He met with Chaplain Lacy and Lt. J. P. Smith between naps, resting comfortably. |
Wednesday, May 6: Jackson continued to show improvement except he seemed to have lost his appetite. Still, his vital signs were fine. He showed no indications of gangrene or septicemia. As before, he spent the morning discussing theology and the condition of the troops, then napped for most of the afternoon. That evening, Dr. McGuire felt good enough about Jackson’s condition to leave him in the care of servant James Lewis. The weary surgeon, who had hardly slept throughout the ordeal, lay down in the next room while Lewis kept a watchful eye on Jackson. Thursday, May 7: Jackson awoke around 1:00 a.m. feeling feverish and nauseated with intense pain in his left side. At Jackson’s insistence, Lewis applied wet towels and did not disturb McGuire. Through the night the symptoms grew worse. At dawn, Jackson felt stabbing pain with each breath, and he told Lewis to awaken McGuire, who rushed to Jackson’s bedside and found him with labored breathing and a rapid pulse. McGuire was agitated that he had not been called sooner. He suspected that Jackson had developed “pleuro-pneumonia” (a broad medical term used at that time for various types of pulmonary illness). McGuire applied the usual treatment: he drew blood, applied mustard plasters, wrapped Jackson in a blanket, and administered laudanum (a mixture of whiskey and opium). The drug relieved Jackson’s pain but dulled his thinking. He drifted in and out of consciousness. Samuel B. Morrison, chief surgeon of Early’s Division, was summoned, followed by Dr. David Tucker of Richmond, an expert on pneumonia. |
