Position at Antietam
Commander, Left Wing, Army of Northern Virginia (Age 38 at the battle)
Personal
1824-1863 Virginia
Nickname: Stonewall
Born in Clarksburg (West) Virginia. Son of Jonathan Jackson, an attorney. Father died when Jackson was two. Raised by Uncle Cummins. Married Ellie Junkin in 1853, who died giving birth in 1854. Married Mary Morrison in 1857. Her sister married D.H. Hill, which made them brothers-in-law. One child, Julia, born in 1862
Education
West Point Class of 1846, ranked 17th of 59. Classmates: George McClellan, Jesse Reno, George Pickett, Truman Seymour, Samuel Sturgis, David R. Jones; A.P Hill & Ambrose Burnside one year behind. Commissioned in the First Artillery.
Mexican War
Served under John Magruder in Light Company I, First Artillery. Won two brevets for gallantry (Churubusco and Chapultepec
Other military career highlights
After Mexico, stationed in New York and Florida during Third Seminole War. In Florida, he and his company commander William French filed numerous complaints against each other. Jackson accepted a professorship at VA Military Institute (VMI) in 1853 and resigned from the Army.
Civilian career highlights
Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Instructor of Artillery at VMI; an unpopular teacher, his students called him “Tom Fool.” If a student asked for help more than once, Jackson punished him as insubordinate. In 1859, Jackson led a contingent of cadets to Charlestown to provide security at the hanging of John Brown
Civil War
Commanded a brigade of Virginia troops at First Manassas where he earned the nickname “Stonewall.” In 1862, he commanded the Valley Army in the Shenandoah Valley. His brilliant campaign of maneuver and lightning attacks threatened Washington DC and prevented Union troops from joining McClellan’s army on the Peninsula. Joined Lee’s army May/June 1862. His troops fought well but his battles were characterized by late arrivals and missed opportunities, probably attributable to fatigue. In the Second Manassas Campaign, Jackson led his troops on a great turning movement, ending up behind Pope’s Army of Virginia. Lee’s victory there launched the Maryland Campaign where Jackson, operating independently, captured Harpers Ferry. Commanded the Confederate left at Antietam; promoted to Lieutenant General. Fought at Fredericksburg. Led another brilliant flank attack at Chancellorsville but was mortally wounded by his own men on May 2, 1863.
Postwar
N/A
Death
Wounded at Chancellorsville on May 2; died of complications on May 10, age 39
Quotes
“”To attempt to portray the life of Jackson while leaving out the religious element would be like undertaking to describe Switzerland without making mention of the Alps.” Moses Hoge, Presbyterian scholar
“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.” Stonewall Jackson
“It is not desirable to have a large number of friends.” Jackson’s book of axioms
“Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up the pursuit so long as your men have strength to follow.” Stonewall Jackson
“Boys, he’s not much for looks, but if we’d had him, we wouldn’t be caught in this trap.” A Union prisoner of war at Harpers Ferry, September 15, 1862
“All old Jackson gave us was a musket, a hundred rounds and a gum blanket, and he druv us so like hell.” One of Jackson’s men captured by the Iron Brigade
“None of Jackson’s old officers ever try to divine his movements.” Dorsey Pender
“Probably put more officers under arrest than all other Confederate generals combined.” Dabney Maurey
“He [Jackson] has lost his left arm but I have lost my right arm.” Robert E. Lee upon learning of Jackson’s wounding