Monday, May 13, 2013

May 10, 1863

May 10, 1863

—On this date, Gen. Stonewall Jackson dies of pneumonia, a complication of the amputation surgery of his left arm four days earlier. The South mourns for the fallen warrior.

Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, CSA
1st Lieut. Thomas J. Jackson, as a young officer in the Mexican War

—Gen. Grant’s campaign through central Mississippi continues apace, with McPherson’s corps arrived at Utica, Mississippi on this date. Sherman’s and McClernand’s corps are advancing on a parallel road farther north, somewhere near Five Mile Creek. The Army of the Tennessee is moving at its characteristic swift pace.

—With McPherson’s corps is Jenkin Lloyd Jones, of the 6th Battery of Wisconsin Artillery. He notes their passing Utica on their swift march:
Near Raymond, Miss., Sunday, May 10. Awoke, harnessed and fed horses at 3 o’clock A. M. 7 A. M. unharnessed and grazed our horses for an hour. Lay in the shade until noon, when we hurriedly harnessed, leaving our dinner half cooked, and marched over very dusty and sultry roads. Poor country, covered with pine poles. Halted at Utica two hours and watered horses, let the cavalry pass. This is a lively looking place of two dozen houses, with frowning damsels in the windows and doors. May poles still standing. They did not expect the Yankees so soon. Took the road toward Raymond, eighteen miles distant. At sundown came into camp in thick oak brush. All our cooking utensils in the mule wagons. "By order"‘ obliged to go to bed without our supper save hard crackers.

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