May 11, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
IMPORTANT FROM VIRGINIA –MOVEMENTS ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK –DEATH OF GEN. (STONEWALL) JACKSON.
RICHMOND, May 8. – Passengers report all quiet at Fredericksburg. Several ambulance trains arrived this evening, and more are on the way hither. Crowds of ladies are at the depot dispensing refreshments to the wounded.
Gen. LEE has issued the following address to his troops:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
May 7, 1863.
(General Orders No. 59.)
With heartfelt gratification the General Commanding expresses to the army his sense of the heroic conduct displayed, both by officers and men, during the arduous operations in which they have just been engaged. Under the trying vicissitudes of heat and storm, you attacked the enemy strongly entrenched in the depths of the tangled Wilderness, and again on the hills of Fredericksburg, fifteen miles distant, and, by your valor, triumphed on every field, forcing him once more to seek safety beyond the Rappahannock.
While this glorious victory entitles you to the praise and gratitude of the nation, we are specially called upon to return our grateful thanks to the only Giver of Victory for the signal deliverance He has wrought. It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that the troops unite on Sunday next, in ascribing to the Lord of Hosts the glory due His name. Let us not forget, in our rejoicing, the brave soldiers who have fallen in defence of their country, and while we mourn their loss, let us resolve to emulate their noble example. The army and country alike lament the absence, for a time, of one to whose bravery and skill they are so much indebted for success.
The following letter from the President of the Confederate States is communicated to the army, as an expression of his approbation of its services:
‘I have read your despatch, and reverently unite with you in giving praise to God for the success with which He has crowned our arms. In the name of the people, I offer cordial thanks to yourself and to the troops under your command for this addition to the unprecedented series of great victories your army has achieved. The universal rejoicing produced by this happy result will be mingled with general regret for the good and brave who are numbered among the killed and wounded.’
(Signed) R.E. LEE,
General Commanding.
RICHMOND, May 9. – Stoneman’s cavalry broke camp on Thursday and started for the Upper Rappahannock, after capturing all the horses they could find. They cut the throats of 200 of their worn-out horses.
IMRODEN’S cavalry has destroyed the great Cheat River Bridge, on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, built at an enormous cost, and regarded as one of the greatest triumphs of science.
Two thousand prisoners arrived here this evening, and arrived here this evening, and the same number will come in tonight. The mail train from Fredericksburg arrived at 8 p.m. Passengers report that FRANK P. BLAIR, Jr., amongst the Yankees captured.
Brigadier-General Barry, HOOKER’S Chief of Artillery, was killed on Wednesday. Major-General HOWARD and two other Yankee Generals were wounded. The Medical Director of Binney (Yankee) corps was killed.
( The Latest.)
RICHMOND, May 10. – Governor Letcher received a despatch this afternoon announcing the death of General THOMAS J. JACKSON, at Guinea’s Station, at three o’clock this afternoon. He died from the combined effects of his wounds and an attack of pneumonia. His body will be brought to this city tomorrow by special train.