Near Guinea in Caroline County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Staggering Blow
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
1. A Staggering Blow Marker
We had confidence in him that knew no bounds...his loss was irreparable.
Wills Lee, Richmond Howitzers
News of Stonewall Jackson's death stunned the South. "A greater sense of loss and deeper grief never followed the death of mortal man," recorded one of Jackson's men. Union soldiers felt both joy and lament. "I rejoice at Stonewall Jackson's death as a gain to our cause," wrote Union Den. Gouverneur Warren, "yet in my soldier's heart I cannot but see him the best soldier of all this war, and grieve his untimely end."
Jackson's death fell heaviest on Gen. Robert E. Lee. He had come to rely on Jackson to carry out his plans, and Jackson had seldom failed him. "Such an executive officer the sun never shone on," Lee once said of his subordinate. "I have but to show him my design, and I know that if it can be done it will be done." With Stonewall gone, Lee would never again achieve the success he had gained at Chancellorsville.
(caption of large picture, upper left): Mourners at Jackson's grave in Lexington, Virginia.
(caption of picture, upper right): Jackson's wife, Mary Anna and her daughter Julia Jackson. Mary Anna never remarried, wore mourning clothes the remainder of her life, and became the most revered Civil War widow in the South.
(caption of Jackson's
this page online
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 8.89′ N, 77° 26.419′ W. Marker is near Guinea, Virginia, in Caroline County. Marker can be reached from Stonewall Jackson Road (Virginia Route 606) near Guinea Station Road (Virginia Route 634). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Woodford VA 22580, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. War Comes to Fairfield (here, next to this marker); Fairfield Plantation (here, next to this marker); Stonewall Jackson Died (here, next to this marker); Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Guinea Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Plantations on Guinea Station Road (approx. 4.1 miles away); Stanard’s Mill (approx. 4½ miles away); Mud Tavern (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Guinea.
Regarding A Staggering Blow. This is one of several markers for the Battle of Chancellorsville associated with the wounding and death
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007
2. A Staggering Blow Marker
The house where Gen. Jackson died can be seen behind the marker.
Also see . . . Wounding of Stonewall Jackson Virtual Tour by Markers. This virtual tour includes markers on the Wounding of Stonewall Jackson walking trail and sites associated with the Jackson's death on May 10, 1863. (Submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Death Room
After a 27-mile ambulance ride, Jackson's aides carried "Stonewall" to a room prepared for him by the Chandlers. Jackson endured the long journey remarkably well, and despite the ordeal, remembered his manners when apologizing to Mr. Chandler for being unable to shake hands with his host.
The Chandler's prepared the room using the same bed frame and one of the same blankets exhibited today. They also added the clock on the mantel with the hope that it would make the room look more homelike and cheerful, but furnishings could not dictate the mood of the room. Despite the efforts of pneumonia specialists, nothing seemed to bring relief to the General. Jackson observed, "I see from the number of physicians that you think my condition dangerous, but I thank God, if it
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
3. "A Staggering Blow" and two other markers.
This marker is located on the far right. A separate, stone marker with information on Stonewall Jackson's death is on the left. The stone reads: "Stonewall Jackson died May 10, 1863; buried Lexington, VA".
"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.'"
Excerpt from the NPS website, Stonewall Jackson Shrine.
— Submitted November 5, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
2. The Bed Frame
After the war ended, Mrs. Ann Boulware, of nearby La Vista Plantation, established and became the first president of the Ladies Memorial Society of Spotsylvania. In this capacity she oversaw local efforts to obtain land for the purpose of a burial ground, to remove the dead Confederate
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
4. The Stonewall Jackson Shrine
The RF&P Railroad acquired the property in 1909, restored the farm office and called it the "Jackson Shrine." The railroad donated the site to the National Park Service in 1937.
She accepted from Dr. Thomas Chandler, owner of Fairfield Plantation, the death bed of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. With the bed, she received instructions to sell it, with the proceeds used towards fundraising efforts pay for the removal of the dead soldiers from the nearby battlefields (subsequently reinterred in the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg, VA). Fortunately, money was raised without the need to sell the bed. The bed upon which Jackson died remained at La Vista until 1900.
— Submitted November 5, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
5. The route to the "Stonewall" Jackson Shrine is well marked.
Visitors to the "Stonewall" Jackson Shrine can follow Stonewall Jackson Road from the I-95 Thornburg exit, or follow the actual route his ambulance took down Guinea Station Road (from Spotsylvania via Massaponax).
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
6. Where Jackson died
The building where Stonewall Jackson died is the only civil war structure remaining at the site. The room where he died still contains the original bed frame, blanket and clock from that fateful day.
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
7. Where Jackson died
The building where Stonewall Jackson died is the only civil war structure remaining at the site. The room where he died still contains the original bed frame, blanket and clock from that fateful day.
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
8. The Waiting Room
During Jackson's illness, staff officers used this room to relax, write letters, and chat. Doctors attending to Jackson consulted here. "All that human skill could devise was done to stay the hand of death," one affirmed, but it was not enough. By May 10, Jackson's physicians gave up all hope of his recovery.
Summoning his wife, they informed her that the general had but a few short hours to live.
Summoning his wife, they informed her that the general had but a few short hours to live.
Photographed By Kevin W., November 3, 2007
9. A letter framed and displayed on a wall in the "Death House"
Guinea's Depot
12 O'clock M. May 9th 63
My dear Sister:
Mrs. Hoge & I found the General worse this morning. He had been sinking during the morning but is doing better now the Drs. think.
Mrs. J. is very much afflicted. Mrs. H's arrival is very timely, and will prove of great consolation to Mrs. Jackon. I will try to let you know about the Gen. as often as possible.
I am
With much love
Your aff. brother
Jas. P. Smith
12 O'clock M. May 9th 63
My dear Sister:
Mrs. Hoge & I found the General worse this morning. He had been sinking during the morning but is doing better now the Drs. think.
Mrs. J. is very much afflicted. Mrs. H's arrival is very timely, and will prove of great consolation to Mrs. Jackon. I will try to let you know about the Gen. as often as possible.
I am
With much love
Your aff. brother
Jas. P. Smith
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,067 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on April 8, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 5, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 13, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 5, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
