about half-past one he was told that he had but two hours to live.  Again he answered, feebly but firmly, “Very good; it is all right.”  These were almost his last coherent words.  For some time he lay unconscious, and then suddenly he cried out:  “Order A.P.  Hill to prepare for action!  Pass the infantry to the front!  Tell Major Hawks—­” then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished.  Once more he was silent; but a little while after he said very quietly and clearly, “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees,” and the soul of the great captain passed into the peace of God.

NOTE 1.

[From General Lee’s letter-book.]

Lexington, Virginia, 25th January, 1866.

Mrs. T.J.  Jackson:—­

My dear Mrs. Jackson,

Dr. Brown handed me your note of the 9th, when in Richmond on business connected with Washington College.  I have delayed replying since my return, hoping to have sufficient time to comply with your request.  Last night I received a note from Mrs. Brown, enclosing one from Dr. Dabney, stating that the immediate return of his manuscript was necessary.  I have not been able to open it; and when I read it when you were here, it was for the pleasure of the narrative, with no view of remark or correction; and I took no memoranda of what seemed to be errors.  I have not thought of them since, and do not know that I can now recall them; and certainly have no desire that my opinions should be adopted in preference to Dr. Dabney’s...I am, however, unable at this time to specify the battles to which my remark particularly refers.  The opinion of General Jackson, in reference to the propriety of attacking the Federal army under General McClellan at Harrison’s Landing, is not, I think, correctly stated.  Upon my arrival there, the day after General Longstreet and himself, I was disappointed that no opportunity for striking General McClellan, on the retreat, or in his then position, had occurred, and went forward with General Jackson alone, on foot; and after a careful reconnaissance of the whole line and position, he certainly stated to me, at that time, the impropriety of attacking.  I am misrepresented at the battle of Chancellorsville in proposing an attack in front, the first evening of our arrival.  On the contrary, I decided against it, and stated to General Jackson, we must attack on our left as soon as practicable; and the necessary movement of the troops began immediately.  In consequence of a report received about that time, from General Fitzhugh Lee, describing the position of the Federal army, and the roads which he held with his cavalry leading to its rear, General Jackson, after some inquiry concerning the roads leading to the Furnace, undertook to throw his command entirely in Hooker’s rear, which he accomplished with equal skill and boldness; the rest of the army being moved to the left flank to connect