‘ [100] laughing, that it never entered his mind to think of looking for such a thing in the Scriptures. “Nevertheless,” said the general, “there are such, and excellent models, too. Look, for instance, at the narrative of Joshua's battle with the Amalekites; there you have one. It has clearness, brevity, fairness, modesty; and it traces the victory to its right source, the blessing of God.” ’As he gradually grew worse, and his physicians and friends became alarmed about his condition, he was calm, resigned, even joyous, at the prospect.
Noticing the sadness of his loving wife, he said to her, tenderly: ‘I know you would gladly give your life for me, but I am perfectly resigned. Do not be sad. I hope I may yet recover. Pray for me, but always remember in your prayers to use the petition, “Thy will be done.” ’
When he saw the number of surgeons who were called in, he said to his medical director, Dr. Hunter McGuire: ‘I see from the number of physicians that you consider my condition dangerous, but I thank God that, if it is His will, I am ready to go.’
When his wife informed him that the doctors thought his recovery very doubtful, he was silent for a moment, and then said: ‘It will be infinite gain to be translated to heaven.’ When later, on that beautiful Sabbath day, he was informed that he could scarcely live till night, he engaged for a moment in intense thought, and then replied: ‘Very good, very good; it is all right.’
Dr. McGuire thus concludes a deeply interesting paper on the wounding and death of Jackson:
He tried to comfort his almost heart-broken wife, and told her he had a good deal to say to her, but he was too weak. Colonel Pendleton came into the room about 1 o'clock, and he asked him: “Who is preaching at headquarters to-day?” When told that the whole army was praying for him, he replied: “Thank God—they are very kind.” He said, “It is the Lord's day; my wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday.”
His mind now began to fail and wander, and he frequently talked as if in command upon the field, giving orders in his old way; then the scene shifted, and he was at the mess-table in conversation with members of his staff; now with his wife and child; now at prayers with his military family. Occasionally intervals of return of his mind would appear, and during one of them I offered him some brandy and water; but he declined it,
