Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born on January 21, 1824 in Clarksburg, Virginia. He entered West Point in July 1842 and, in spite of his poor childhood education, worked hard to graduate seventeenth in his class in 1846. Upon graduation, Jackson was sent on military duty to Mexico, and continued his service in the United States Army in positions in New York and Florida. In 1851, Jackson became professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. He resigned from the army as of February 29, 1852.
Jackson's summer vacations from teaching were often spent vacationing in the North and in Europe where his interests were aroused in art and culture rather than military or political aspects. This somewhat calm, domestic period in his life came to a close on April 21, 1861 when he was ordered to go to Richmond as part of the cadet corps. Since military aspirations had faded from his life, he was virtually unknown in this sphere.
It was during the Battle of Bull Run in the Civil War when Jackson assumed his nickname. Amidst the tumult of battle, Brigadeer-General Barnard E. Bee stated, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall." As the war continued, Jackson continually impressed his Confederate compatriots with his skill on the battlefield and in planning conferences. He distinguished himself in the Valley campaign of early 1862, the Battle of second Manassas in August 1862, and the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. Jackson was a Southern hero, and in spite of his eccentricities, he was loved and respected by his soldiers. He strictly observed the Sabbath, and his religiousity was constant in all facets of his life.
On May 2, 1863, in his last march of the Civil War, Jackson was wounded by friendly fire. He died of pneumonia several days later on May 10 at Guiney's Station, Virginia. His body was carried to Richmond and then to Lexington where it was buried. It is said that The Army of Northern Virginia never fully recovered from the loss of Stonewall Jackson's leadership in battle.
General Robert E. Lee believed Jackson was irreplacable.
sources: Dictionary of American Biography
Jackson at VMI
Excellent and great, WC. SW an awesome man and military commander. A superb tactician.
ReplyDeleteThe South rocks!
That was awesome.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHe WAS irreplaceable! ,If Lee had him two month`s latter at Gettysburg ,we would be living in a very different country today.
ReplyDeleteThe folks at University of Virginia need to learn how to spell...
ReplyDeletei was told he's some kind of relative, great uncle twice removed, or something. anyhow, i have always bragged.
ReplyDeleteThe Virginian Creed
ReplyDeleteThe world was created in 1607.
The Holy Trinity is LEE, Stuart, and Jackson.
The Third Monday in January is LEE-Jackson Day.
Should you and your Much Better Half find yourselves in northern Virginia I would be honored to guide you to the various battlefields and Jackson Shrine.