The
early victories of Southern armies were cause for much celebration
across the Atlantic, and this was reported home by Confederate
diplomats. The London Times, Morning Herald and Evening Standard
reported the elation with which Jackson’s victory at Chancellorsville
was received, and the widespread grief over his death.
Bernhard Thuersam, Chairman
North Carolina War Between the States Sesquicentennial Commission
"The Official Website of the North Carolina WBTS Sesquicentennial"
Stonewall Jackson Versus the Worthies of the North:
From: A. Dudley Mann, No. 48, 3 Rue D’Arlon, Brussels, May 28, 1863
To: Hon. J.P. Benjamin, Secretary of State, Confederate States of America, Richmond, Va.
“Sir:
The excessive joy occasioned on this side of the Atlantic by our
dazzling victory at Chancellorsville has been tinged by inordinate
sorrow. [General Stonewall Jackson’s death causes] civilization to
mourn, as it has rarely ever mourned, for the loss of a public man.
The
London Times of yesterday no more than reflects the general opinion of
Europe upon the subject in the following paragraph contained in its
leader:
“The
Confederate laurels won on the field of Chancellorsville must be twined
with the cypress. Probably no disaster of the war will have carried
such grief to Southern hearts as the death of General Jackson….Even on
this side of the ocean the gallant soldier’s fate will everywhere be
heard of with pity and sympathy not only as a brave man fighting for his
country’s independence, but as one of the most consummate generals that
this century has produced.
The
blows he struck at the enemy were as terrible and decisive as Bonaparte
himself. But perhaps the crowning glory of his life was the great
battle in which he fell.
When
the Federal commander, by crossing the river twelve miles above his
camp and pressing on as he thought to the rear of the Confederates, had
placed them between two bodies of his army, he was so confident of
success as to boast that the enemy was the property of the Army of the
Potomac. It was reserved to Jackson, by a swift and secret march, to
fall upon his right wing, crush it, and by an attack unsurpassed in
fierceness and pertinacity to drive his [enemy’s] very superior forces
back into a position from which he could not extricate himself except by
flight across the river.
[That
evening], Jackson received two wounds, one in the left arm, the other
in the right hand. Amputation of the arm was necessary, and the Southern
hero sank under the effects of it. He was only thirty-eight years old,
and was known before the war as a man of simple and noble character and
of strong religious faith.”
The conservative organ, the Morning Herald, also in its leader says:
“No
end can be more honorable to any man [than] to die at his post of duty.
To die of his wounds in battle, with the shout of victory still ringing
in his ears, is a glory reserved to the soldier.
The
sympathy that is felt in Europe for their grief at this immeasurable
loss will add to the warmth of popular feeling for the men who have
striven so long in a just cause and acquitted themselves so well. A
soldier of remarkable ability, he fought with the advantage of an
earnest faith in his cause; and, controlled in all he did by a strong
religious feeling, he fought the better still for believing that God was
on his side.
He
was animated by the spirit which rendered the soldiers of the
Commonwealth irresistible in fight, which carried Havelock through
incredible dangers to the gates of Lucknow in triumph. The Christian and
patriotic soldier achieved the last and greatest of his successes in
dying for his country. He perished doubly a martyr, and in his last
breath attested the righteousness of the cause which he sealed with his
blood.”
The Paris correspondent for the Evening Standard….remarks:
“I
cannot forbear noticing the universal feeling of regret created among
the English colony in Paris by the sad tidings….He was a hero after our
own heart….I can safely say deeper and more unanimous sorrow has not
been experienced by our countrymen here.
The
Northerners in Paris often express wonder at the universal sympathy for
the South felt by Englishmen. They may learn a useful lesson from the
tribute paid by our countrymen to Stonewall Jackson. Independently of
the justice of the cause, independently of the disgust excited by the
arrogance and boasting of the North, it is the presence in the Southern
ranks of such men as Davis, Lee, Longstreet, Jackson, Stuart,
Beauregard, and Semmes that conciliate the esteem of the world, as well
as its admiration. Stonewall Jackson was one of the most heroic figures
that have been thrown into relief in the course of this gigantic
struggle.
Look
at the North, and we may ask: Quando et quo invenient parem? Low
speculators, dishonest politicians, pettifogging tyrants, unhanged
murderers, and strong-minded women, for whose conduct insanity is the
only possible excuse – these are the worthies of the North. The loss of
Jackson has brought home this contrast to many minds, and, if possible,
added strength to the general conviction in the ultimate triumph of the
cause supported by such as he.”
General
Jackson has lived long enough for the creation of world-wide, exalted
fame; but alas! not sufficiently long for the interest of his struggling
country. Nobly, most nobly, did he complete his high mission on earth.
In his separation from us let us console ourselves with the belief that
his illustrious example will exercise as salutary an influence upon our
citizen soldiers in the hour of battle as did his presence, and that
his pure spirit will linger around his beloved associates whenever they
may be engaged and guide to their accustomed achievements.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. Dudley Mann”
(A
Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Confederacy 1861-1865,
James D. Richardson, Volume II, US Publishing Company, 1905, excerpts,
pp. 489-492)
