on the advice of general kirby smith, fremantle made his way to monroe, louisiana, to attempt to cross the river from there due to the uncertainty surrounding the status of alexandria. by the morning of 10 may, the day fremantle's stagecoach arrived at its destination, travellers began to report that the city had fallen. in monroe itself, fremantle learned of the confederate victory at chancellorsville, although the news was accepted by locals without excitement. the wounding of stonewall jackson, however, caused some distress. the high expectations of southerners, and their contempt for their enemies, would be among the few major points of criticism made by fremantle. after considerable anxiety on board a steamer on the mississippi, fremantle finally crossed the river and arrived in natchez, mississippi, on 15 may.