Life and History of Stonewall Jackson

Early Life Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born on January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia. His parents, who were of patriotic Revolutionary families, and died while he was a young child,. He grew up and was taught as well as educated by his family in the hard working and simple habits of rural life. Brought up in good English schools, and is described as a "diligent, plodding scholar, having a strong mind, though it was slow in development." But he was in boyhood a leader among his fellow-students in the sports of the times, in which he generally managed his side of the team and always tried to lead to victory.

Shaping of the Leader At the age of 18 in 1842, Jackson was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Due to his inadequate schooling, he had difficulty with the entrance examinations and was not the primary choice for entrance and began his studies at the bottom of his class. As a student, he had to work harder than most cadets to absorb lessons, which spawned from his early education problems. Jackson displayed a focused determination that was to characterize his life, he became one of the hardest working cadets in the academy, and moved steadily up the academic rankings. Jackson graduated 17th out of 59 students in the Class of 1846.

Start of Military Career Jackson's first taste of combat upon graduation from West Point was in the Mexican War under John B. Magruder. He fought with distinction in numerous battles, including Vera Cruz, Contreras and Chapultepec, and won two brevets. After the Mexican War, Jackson was transferred to a number of different posts, such as in Florida, where he helped quell a Seminole uprising. In 1852 he resigned active army to teach at the Virginia Military Institute and become a professor of military artillery tactics and natural philosophy. Jackson then married, but his first wife died 14 months after their marriage, and he remarried a few years later. While still in Mexico he had joined a church and became extremely religious. During his 10 years in Lexington Virginia he became a dedicated and hardworking Presbyterian. He never smoked, he never touched a gambled. His diet, for reasons of health, was mostly vegetarian.

Into The Fray of The Civil War Upon teaching at Virginia Military Institute from He was called upon to serve in the Confederate Army at the Outbreak of the Civil War and the secession of Virginia. Stonewall quickly rose through the ranks and became a disciplined and aggressive master of tactics. He fought at the first Battle of Bull Run and won the nickname "Stonewall" for his calm condition under fire, and stout defense of Henry Hill. He was commander of the forces in the Shenandoah Valley, he succeeded against Union forces throughout the region in battle after battle with his cunning an fearless flanking and maneuvering tactics. Jackson led the famous Valley Campaign of 1862 and was with Robert E. Lee at the Seven Days' Battles and fought at Manassas Junction, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Succeeding in gaining victories at every engagement. He often used his most famous tactics of maneuvering quickly, firing, and then a organized bayonet charge to rout the enemy. He was feared by every Union officer he engaged in battle with.

Mortal Wound At Chancellorsville At the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2 nd 1863 Jackson, while on a recon mission at night around 9 pm with members of his staff, was accidentally fired upon by his own troops. The 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was responsible for the "friendly fire". Jackson was struck by three.57 caliber bullets. He then was taken to a field hospital near the battlefield, where his left arm was amputated. Then on May 4 th 1863 Jackson was moved to a field hospital at the Chandler Home near Guiney's Station. He passed away from Pneumonia as complications from the would on May 10 th 1863, uttering his last words “ Lets us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.” He left behind his second wife Mary Ann Morrison and their daughter Julia Jackson.

Famous Jackson Quotes "Under divine blessing, we must rely on the bayonet when firearms cannot be furnished“ "I yield to no man in sympathy for the gallant men under my command; but I am obliged to sweat them tonight, so that I may save their blood tomorrow.“ "Once you get them running, you stay right on top of them, and that way a small force can defeat a large one every time... Only thus can a weaker country cope with a stronger; it must make up in activity what it lacks in strength.“ "When war does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard."