into what seemed inextricable disorder, in consequence of the darkness and the headlong advance of the Second (Calston’s) Division upon the heels of Rhodes, which had resulted in a complete intermingling of the two commands; and, to make matters worse, General A.P.  Hill, the second in command, had been wounded and disabled, nearly at the same moment with Jackson, by the artillery-fire of the enemy.  This transferred the command, of military right, to the brave and skilful General Rhodes, the ranking officer after Hill; but Rhodes was only a brigadier-general, and had, for that reason, never come into personal contact with the whole corps, who knew little of him, and was not aware of Jackson’s plans, and distrusted, under these circumstances, his ability to conduct to a successful issue so vitally important an operation as that intrusted to this great wing of the Southern army.  Stuart, who had gone with his cavalry toward Ely’s Ford to make a demonstration on the Federal rear, was therefore sent for, and rode as rapidly as possible to the scene of action, and the command was formally relinquished to him by General Rhodes.  Jackson sent Stuart word from Wilderness Tavern to “act upon his own judgment, and do what he thought best, as he had implicit confidence in him;” but, in consequence of the darkness and confusion, it was impossible for Stuart to promptly reform the lines, and thus all things remained entangled and confused.

It was essential, however, to inform General Lee of the state of affairs, and Jackson’s chief-of-staff, Colonel Pendleton, requested Captain Wilbourn, who had witnessed all the details of the painful scene in the wood, to go to General Lee and acquaint him with what had taken place, and receive his orders.  From a MS. statement of this meritorious officer, we take these brief details of the interview: 

Lee was found lying asleep in a little clump of pines near his front, covered with an oil-cloth to protect him from the dews of the night, and surrounded by the officers of his staff, also asleep.  It was not yet daybreak, and the darkness prevented the messenger from distinguishing the commander-in-chief from the rest.  He accordingly called for Major Taylor, Lee’s adjutant-general, and that officer promptly awoke when he was informed of what had taken place.  As the conversation continued, the sound awoke General Lee, who asked, “Who is there?” Major Taylor informed him, and, rising upon his elbow, Lee pointed to his blankets, and said:  “Sit down here by me, captain, and tell me all about the fight last evening.”

He listened without comment during the recital, but, when it was finished, said with great feeling:  “Ah! captain, any victory is dearly bought which deprives us of the services of General Jackson, even for a short time.”

From this reply it was evident that he did not regard the wounds received by Jackson as of a serious character—­as was natural, from the fact that they were only flesh-wounds in the arm and hand—­and believed that the only result would be a temporary absence of his lieutenant from command.  As Captain Wilbourn continued to speak of the incident, Lee added with greater emotion than at first:  “Ah! don’t talk about it; thank God it is no worse!”