At midnight of the 16th a part of Jackson’s men again became engaged; and when “at the dawn of the 17th, Hooker made his terrible attack on the left of the Confederate battle line, Stonewall Jackson stood in the way.”
The morning sun of this day looked down on a sight that was awful beyond conception. In the corn field at the Dunker Church the men fought and fell, cut down like the corn, in the order in which they were standing. “It was never my fortune to witness a more dismal battlefield,” Hooker wrote. “Terrible carnage,” said Jackson, and as he watched the deadly fire, planned a new attack.
He immediately formed his cavalry to turn the Federal right. “Move your divisions to the front, and attack the enemy as soon as you hear Stuart’s guns,” he said. “We’ll drive McClellan into the Potomac.” But Stuart’s guns were not heard, for the enemy was already on the river. The Federals next pressed A. P. Hill’s division; but he was helped in holding possession by the arrival of the remainder of the troops from Harper’s Ferry. Lee crossed the Potomac, and the final victory was with McClellan. The forces remained for three months in camp.
Jackson was made a lieutenant-general in October of this year. Lee now said of him: “Such an executive officer the sun never shone on. I have but to show him my design, and I know if it can be done, it will be done.”
In December, when Burnside moved toward Richmond, Lee went out to meet him. In the battle of Fredericksburg, Jackson commanded the Confederate right, and resisted every attack. Longstreet held the left in this last victory for the South, in this campaign.
Jackson’s wife and his child came to visit him at Hamilton’s Crossing. To Mrs. Jackson he felt disposed to talk of the war. “We must make this campaign an exceedingly active one,” he said. “Only thus can a weaker country cope with a stronger. It must make up in activity what it lacks in strength.”
On April 29, a messenger drew rein at his door. “General Early’s adjutant wishes to see General Jackson.” Jackson looked out and said: “That looks as if Hooker were crossing.” He was right. When Jackson’s aide notified Lee, the latter remarked: “Say to your good general that he knows what to do. I will join him at the front.” Jackson threw his army against the enemy, who fell back on Chancellorsville.
The war department at Washington had made up its mind that the only thing to be done was to march steadily on to Richmond. Hooker faced the Confederates, determined to smash through their divisions. Lines of telegraph were at his service, signal stations and captive balloons were ready for his use. In the green fields behind him was “the finest army on this planet,” as he himself said. There was no sleep in the Confederate camp on the night of the first of May. Lee and Jackson discussed plans of a circuit around Hooker’s right and an attack on his rear.
“General Jackson,” said Lee, “what do you propose to do?”
“Go around here.” Jackson’s finger moved on the map before them.