"Fredericksburg National Military Park - Jackson Shrine" - Stonewall Jackson Shrine - Woodford, Virginia
Posted by: 
nomadwillie
N 38° 08.631 W 077° 26.370
18S E 286222 N 4224587
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson died in an outbuilding on the Chandler plantation in the rural community of Guinea Station. Today, the Jackson Shrine is part of Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Waymark Code: WM4ZZ5
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 10/20/2008
Views: 34
After amputating General "Stonewall" Jackson's arm, he was brought to Thomas C. Chandler's 740-acre plantation named "Fairfield," to recover. Chandler offered up his home to the General, but was refused, insisting on the solitude of the small office. He visited with his wife, and daughter here, who arrived on May 7, 1863.
After a time of improvement, pnemonia set in on Jackson. His strong faith in God was still quite evident in his last days as he told the doctors, "I see from the number of physicians that you think my condition dangerous, but I thank God, if it is His will, that I am ready to go.". On Sunday, May 10, 1863, the doctors lost all hope of Jackson's recovery, and the General was notified of his condition. But as Jackson grew physically weaker, he remained spiritually strong. "It is the Lord's Day; my wish is fulfilled," said Jackson. "I have always desired to die on Sunday." Jackson realized that desire at 3:15 p.m. with Dr. McGuire carefully noting Jackson's last words:
"A few moments before he died he cried out in his delirium, 'Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks' -- then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished. Presently a smile of ineffable sweetness spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, and with an expression, as if of relief, 'Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.'"
Jackson was a man of debated talent. Even his nickname is debated whether a complement or slander. During the battle of First Mannassas, General Bernard E. Bee proclaimed, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall." Regardless, General Robert E. Lee stated upon the amputation of Jackson's arm, "He has lost his left arm, but I have lost my right arm."
The "Stonewall" Jackson Shrine is the name the railroad named this building. The "Shrine" underwent restorations in the 1920's and 1960's. It is aproximately 45% original, and is the only building that remains of the plantation. The Chandler house burned sometime after the war.
The Shrine is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. National Park Service Rangers are available to answer questions, and interpret the scene of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's last days.
Address:
12023 Stonewall Jackson Road
Woodford, Va. United States
NPS Web Page for this Station: [Web Link]
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