Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 January 1886 — JACKSON'S LAST MOMENTS. [ARTICLE]

JACKSON'S LAST MOMENTS.

Ax; Account of His IYeasth Writsh\n by "is Family Phukhtan. Maj.ißiehard T. Allison, the Assastimt Postmaster, has furnished the Baltimore American with an interesting letter writt m by Gen. Jfßeksan?® family physician, Dn -Tdlm N.JGsselmais, describing the CJnauerak'ft last moments -en earth. It is dated “Nashville, Denn., 9th ■Jaime,' 1845,” and is addressed to Francis T. Blair, Esq. 3>r. Esselmissi 'describes the distinguished paftienft’s sufferings from dropsy, mid his'vis its to his bedside. He then says: “I was sent for again oat‘Saturday, the 7th instant. The messenger informed me that the Oeueral was much worse. I hastened to the Hermitage, and found Ulna very much eqhausted. He had great difficulty in respiration, in consequence of accumulation of water in his chest. F© oqaeited thatl.should remain \ ith him, ns he was well aware tlin Ji dissolution wai near at hano fe took an anodyne and expe- cri t, and api neared to r- p rt of the night tc erably comfort ble. He had not bwv 11 .. JlO down for the last six months. He had to be propped , up in his bed at night, and in his arm chair during the day. On Sunday morning, the Htli instant (the day on which he died ), on entering his room I found him sitting in his arm-chair, with his two faithful servants, George and Dick, by his side, who had just rein .veil him from his bed. I immediately perceived that the hand of death was upon him. I informed his son that he could survive but a few hours; and he immediately dispatched a servant for Major William <B. Lewis, the General’s devoted friend. Mr. Jackson informed me that it was the General’s request that, in case he grew worse, or was thought to be near his death, Major Lewis should be :sent for, as he to be near him in his last moments. B e was instantly removed to his bed; bat, before he could be placed there lie had swooned away. His family and servants, believing him to be dead, were very much alarmed, and j manifested the most intense grief; ■ however, in a few seconds reaction took place, and he became conscious, and raised his eyes and said: “My dear children, do not grieve for me; it is true, I am going to [ leave you; I am well aware of my si uation; 1 have suffered much bodily pain, but my sufferings are but as nothing compared with that which our Blessed Savior endured upon that accursed cross, that we might all be saved who put their trust in Him.” He first addressed Mrs. Jackson (his daughter-in-law) and took leave of lier, reminding her of her tender kindness manifested towards him at dll times, and especially during his protracted illness. He next took leave of Mrs. Adams (a widowed sister of Mrs. Jackson, who lias been a member of the general’s family for several years) in the most k : nd and affectionate manner, reminding her also of her tender devotion towards him during his illness. He next took leave of his adopted son in an affectionate and devoted manner. He next took leave of liis gran icliildren and the children of Mrs. Adams. He kissed and blessed them in a manner so touchingly impressive, that I have no language that can do thil itene justice- He discovered thil there were two of the boys liMrat —one of his grandsons and qflMi of Mrs. Adams’. He inquired for them. He was informed that they wefre at the chapel, attending Sunday-school. Hfe desired that they should be sen#for. fee soon as they came, he kissed and blessed them also, a* he had'done to those with him. By this time most of his seftauis bed collected in hia room Mat the windows. When he had taken leave of them all, he deUvMjbdon of the most impressitelemres oc the subject of re-

ligion that I have ever heard. He spok for near half an hour, and spparantly with the power of inapiration; for he spoke with calmness, with strength, and, indeed, with animation. I regret exceedingly, my dear sir, that there W6S uo one present wiio could have noted down his precise words. They might have be n read with profit, and would bare been fondly eh rished as a oroeious gem by all the groat and good of the land. In c nelusion, he said: “My dear children, and friends and servants, I hope and tr st to meet you all in heaven, both white and black.”- - The last sentence he repeated *‘both white aud black,” looking at them with tenderness and solicitude. With these words he ceased to speak, but fixed his eyes on his granddaughter, Rachel Jackson (who bears the name of his own .beloved wife) tor (several seconds. What was passing through his mind at t :at moment I will not jiretend to say, but it did appear to ine that he was invoking the blessings of heaven to rest upon her. The lecture to his family was awfully sublime. His implicitbelief in the Christian religion, and in the j) an of salvation as revealed in the Bible his great anxiety that they should believe in religion as taught by the Holy Scriptures, and that, in so doing, they would insure their eternal .salvation, and join him in heaven. Such sentiments, from such a man, at such a time, are enough to put to Hightail skepticism on the subject of religion. “Major Lewis arrived about two o’clock. The general appeared t » know him when he spoke to him. As I before stated, the general had to be propped up in bis bed, and Maj. Lewis Supported his head until lie breath (this last, which was precisely at li o’clock p. m. Thus died the greatest and best man of the age, or, perhaps, of any »*ge.”