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He was born in Clarksburg, a mountain town in one of Virginia’s western counties, the son of a lawyer who got himself involved in a series of bad investments and dying of typhoid in 1826 when Thomas was two, leaving his family deep in debt. After their mother died five years later, Thomas, his brother Warren, and sister Laura, spent the remainder of their childhoods between several different relatives (TL 6, pg. 22).

He was born in Clarksburg, a mountain town in one of Virginia’s western counties, the son of a lawyer who got himself involved in a series of bad investments and dying of typhoid in 1826 when Thomas was two, leaving his family deep in debt. After their mother died five years later, Thomas, his brother Warren, and sister Laura, spent the remainder of their childhoods between several different relatives (TL 6, pg. 22).

It was during his childhood that Thomas developed a "quirky" personality.  He complained of a stomach malady for which no doctor could find a cause.  Later, while at West Point, he sat bolt upright in his seat, never allowing his spine to touch the back of his chair; the reason supposedly being that he needed to keep his internal organs in alignment, thus aiding digestion.  He convinced himself that the use of pepper in his food made his left leg itch, and he was often seen sucking on lemons.  When in battle his men, seeing his left arm raised, often assumed he was praying to his Maker; Thomas had a different explanation: his left arm was heavier than his right, and by lifting it “the blood might run back into his body and lighten it” (TL 6, pp. 23-24).

It was during his childhood that Thomas developed a "quirky" personality.  He complained of a stomach malady for which no doctor could find a cause.  Later, while at West Point, he sat bolt upright in his seat, never allowing his spine to touch the back of his chair; the reason supposedly being that he needed to keep his internal organs in alignment, thus aiding digestion.  He convinced himself that the use of pepper in his food made his left leg itch, and he was often seen sucking on lemons.  When in battle his men, seeing his left arm raised, often assumed he was praying to his Maker; Thomas had a different explanation: his left arm was heavier than his right, and by lifting it “the blood might run back into his body and lighten it” (TL 6, pp. 23–24).

Despite having little in the way of a formal education while growing up (he had the equivalent of a fourth grade education), he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1842.  Although his start was slow, he made up for it by intense study, often reading his books by the dim light of the coal fire long after his classmates were asleep; he was able to significantly improve his class standing, and was 17th in his class of 59 by the time he graduated in 1846 (TL 6, pg. 25).

Despite having little in the way of a formal education while growing up (he had the equivalent of a fourth grade education), he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1842.  Although his start was slow, he made up for it by intense study, often reading his books by the dim light of the coal fire long after his classmates were asleep; he was able to significantly improve his class standing, and was 17th in his class of 59 by the time he graduated in 1846 (TL 6, pg. 25).

Finding service in the peacetime army to be rather tedious, he resigned his commission in August 1851 and became a professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy at the [[Virginia Military Institute]].  Though he worked hard at his new duties, he never became a popular or highly successful teacher. A stern man, his devotion to his cadets’ education coupled with his religious beliefs, earned him the derisive titles “Deacon Jackson,” “Old Jack,” and “Fool Tom” (TL 6, pg 29).

Finding service in the peacetime army to be rather tedious, he resigned his commission in August 1851 and became a professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy at the [[Virginia Military Institute]].  Though he worked hard at his new duties, he never became a popular or highly successful teacher. A stern man, his devotion to his cadets’ education coupled with his religious beliefs, earned him the derisive titles “Deacon Jackson,” “Old Jack,” and “Fool Tom” (TL 6, pg 29).

While at V.M.I. he met Elinor Junkin, daughter of the Reverend Dr. George Junkin, at the time the president of nearby Washington College.  They were married on August 4, 1853, and the union was “a great source of happiness,” as Jackson would later write to his sister Laura. But it was short-lived. On October 22, 1852, Elinor died shortly after stillbirthing a son.  Although he was unaffiliated with any denomination, he was a deeply religious man, and his religion gave him comfort.  He wrote to Laura: “I am reconciled for my loss and have joy and hope of a future reunion where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.” In 1857, Jackson remarried to Mary Anna Morrison. Although they were deeply in love, she had cope with his strict regimen, which included early walks and punctual family prayers each morning. If one was late, Jackson would simply begin without him (TL 6, pp. 29-32).

While at V.M.I. he met Elinor Junkin, daughter of the Reverend Dr. George Junkin, at the time the president of nearby Washington College.  They were married on August 4, 1853, and the union was “a great source of happiness,” as Jackson would later write to his sister Laura. But it was short-lived. On October 22, 1852, Elinor died shortly after stillbirthing a son.  Although he was unaffiliated with any denomination, he was a deeply religious man, and his religion gave him comfort.  He wrote to Laura: “I am reconciled for my loss and have joy and hope of a future reunion where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.” In 1857, Jackson remarried to Mary Anna Morrison. Although they were deeply in love, she had cope with his strict regimen, which included early walks and punctual family prayers each morning. If one was late, Jackson would simply begin without him (TL 6, pp. 29–32).

==The Civil War==

==The Civil War==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Thoms J.}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jackson, Thoms J.}}

[[category:American Civil War]]

[[Category:American Civil War]]

[[Category: American Civil War Commanders]]

[[Category:American Civil War Commanders]]