On Sunday, May 10, 1863 Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson succumbed to his injuries. Wounded by his own men at Chancellorsville, Jackson had developed pneumonia after the amputation of an arm.
In his last, delirious moments, once again ordering his Confederates into battle, he suddenly noted in a calm voice, “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.” With that, Jackson died.
Lee wept when he learned of the death of his friend and chief lieutenant. A solemn honor guard escorted Jackson’s remains to Lexington, Kentucky, while the entire South mourned his death and throughout the region flags were dipped in mourning. Indeed, the South had lost one of its best fighting soldiers. But in death the legend of the “Gallant Stonewall” was forever insured.