The Stonewall Procession – A Historic Re-Enactment
May 12, 2007



Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson from Chancellorsville
to Lynchburg and Lexington

Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson was mortally wounded, near Chancellorsville
on May 2, 1863, when he was shot by his own men while returning to his camp
at night. Dr. Hunter H. McGuire attended to Jackson and amputated his arm. General
Jackson died on May 10, 1863 of pneumonia. Jackson’s body was then transported
by train from Fredericksburg to Richmond.

The train was met in Richmond by a great number of mourners at The Broad Street
Station as well as at Capitol Square. His body would lie in state at the Capitol
on the 12th of May and then moved to the Governor’s Mansion the following
morning where the funeral service took place.

Following the funeral the casket was moved to the Virginia Central Railroad
Depot for the trip to Gordonsville and then transferred to the Orange and Alexandria
line for the last part of the trip to Lynchburg. The train carried the body
of Jackson, close friends and family as well as Virginia Governor John Letcher
and his wife.

The train arrived in Lynchburg at about 6:30 pm on the 13th of May at which
time the remains were removed and placed in a hearse and the procession began
to the Packet Boat Marshall Landing at Ninth Street and the canal. Church bells
rang and guns fired one-minute salvos throughout the procession. The funeral
route was lined with mourners and about 1500 recovering soldiers – all
there to honor one of the Confederacy’s greatest Generals. Many of these
maimed and suffering soldiers were General Jackson’s war worn veterans.
That evening a special funeral service was held at the First Presbyterian Church
with James B. Ramsey officiating. Miss Ida W. Jones of Appomattox, who reported
on the Confederate Honor Guard and the attendance of Mrs. Jackson and her daughter
Julia, gave an eyewitness account of this service.

The packet boat Marshall left Lynchburg at about 10:00 pm for the final portion
of the journey to Lexington. Residents of the area crossed to the canal side
of the river to witness the boats passing with lanterns and torches.

Citizens of all walks of life wanted to witness General Jackson’s last
trip to Lexington, his home and final resting place.

“The Marshall is an extremely unique piece of history. Although it enjoyed
a long career as a packet boat on the James River, it is remembered most for
an 1863 trip in which it carried the remains of Confederate General Thomas J.
“Stonewall” Jackson from Lynchburg to burial at Lexington. Nothing
else in Civil War history quite matches this incident. Since Jackson’s
death was the severest personal loss of the Southern states in the Civil War,
the Marshall has far more historical value than has been shown to it up to this
time. It deserves a better fate through restoration and publicity.”
Dr. James I. (Bud) Robertson, Jr.

Dr. Robertson highly endorses this program, but due to prior engagements, cannot
be present.

Plans are being formulated for premier Civil-War artist, Mr. Mort Künstler,
to be present for the weekend of May 11,12,13, 2007 in a number of capacities
one of which will be the scheduled unveiling the painting of the Packet Boat
John Marshall as it was engaged in the funeral procession of General Jackson’s
coffin on May 13, 1863. Mr. Kunstler is a major sponsor for this event. Further
plans include a joint fund raising event with the Lynchburg Historical Foundation
and The Civil War Chaplain’s Museum co hosting a silent auction of Mr.
Künstler’s artwork for the benefit of these organizations. Check
the Lynchburg Historical Foundation’s website for event news and schedules.

—————————————————————————————————————————————

On May 12, 2007 the Lynchburg Historical Foundation will sponsor a reenactment
of the procession of General Stonewall Jackson’s remains from the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad to the Packet Boat Marshall. If your chapter and/or
organization would like to take part please contact: Sally A. Schneider, Exec.
Director, Packet Boat Preservation Fund, Lynchburg Historical Foundation at
434-528-5353 or fax 434-528-9413 or email lhfi@centralva.net or www.lynchburghistoricalfoundation.org

You may also contact Dennis J. Beeton at Dixie Outfitters at 434-846-3006 or
email djbeeton@hotmail.com

A living history exhibit/encampment is being planned for this event and will
be held adjacent to the Depot Grille in Lynchburg. Any one interested may contact
Sally Schneider or Dennis Beeton.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy Virginia Division President, Mrs. Patricia
Bryson, has endorsed this historic project and encourages participation.

The Appomattox Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy will be taking
a major role in this presentation. Mrs. Laurie Lenz is on the planning committee.
Mrs. Carol Williams (Chapter President) and her daughter Laural Williams will
be portraying Mary Anna Jackson and her daughter Julia. Many other chapter members
will be participating in the procession.

The SCV Appomattox Rangers Court House Camp #1733, Bedford Rifle Grays, and
the United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter #11 as well as reenactment groups
throughout the area will be taking part in the procession as well as in other
parts of the event. Participants must pre register with the Lynchburg Historical
foundation prior to the event.

Other sponsors of the Packet Boat Preservation Program are: C. L. Lewis &
Company, Inc., Arm and Hammer Company, Bailey Spencer Hardware, Master Engineers,
Lynchburg Restoration, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, Pearson Equipment Company
and Dixie Outfitters of Madison Heights, Virginia.

The goal of the Foundation is to raise $100,000 for the preservation of the
hull (completed September 16, 2006), to construct a protective building to protect
the hull (completed September 16, 2006), to provide a mural within the building,
historical markers for the outside of the building and to get the Packet Boat
Marshall site on the Civil War Trails Map. Corporate sponsorships and retail
sponsorships are welcome and all interested parties may contact Sally Schneider
or Dennis Beeton for further information. As this article had to be crafted
prior to final formulation of scheduled events please check directly with the
Lynchburg Historical Foundation for further information as it becomes available.

Article by Carolyn Evans Austin
Appomattox Chapter 11

Sources:
Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend by James I Robertson, Jr.
Lynchburg in the Civil War The City-The People–The Battle by George G.
Morris and Susan L. Foutz
Lynchburg and its People by W. Ashby Christian
Eyewitness Account by Miss Ida W. Jones in Roanoke, VA Newspaper
Amherst County Museum and Historical Society Newsletter February 2004