Monday, March 12, 2012

Last Meeting Between Lee and Jackson

Lee and Jackson, having seized the initiative, on the night of May 1, 1863, met to make plans for the next day's battle. They had 45,000 men to fight Joe Hooker's 90,000. Learning that Hooker's right flank was vulnerabel, Lee decided to send Jackson with 30,000 men to attack theweak spot.

The meeting lasted most of the night, with the two generals sitting on cracker-barrels (according to tradition). Afterwards they slept briefly. The next morning Jackson was said to havae had a fever.

Early on the morning of May 3, Lee and Jackson met for the last time. You may be familiar with the famous picutre of the two generals. I have a copy of it hanging in my breakfast room.

I still mourn the loss of the great and good General Jackson!

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