Changes

| battles    =[[First Battle of Bull Run]]<br/>Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1862<br/>[[Battle of Fredericksburg]]<br/>[[Battle of Chancellorsville]]  

| battles    =[[First Battle of Bull Run]]<br/>Shenandoah Valley Campaign, 1862<br/>[[Battle of Fredericksburg]]<br/>[[Battle of Chancellorsville]]  

}}

}}

'''Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan Jackson''' was a United States Army officer who later joined the Confederate States Army and fought in the [[American Civil War]], where during the First Battle of Bull Run he earned his famous nickname "Stonewall".  His battlefield tactics and maneuvers are still studied as part of military curriculum.

'''Lieutenant General Thomas Jonathan Jackson''' was a United States Army officer who later joined the Confederate States Army and fought in the [[American Civil War]], where during the First Battle of Bull Run he earned his famous nickname "Stonewall".  His brilliantly unconventional battlefield tactics and maneuvers are still studied as part of the military curriculum.

Jackson taught Sunday school to blacks and freed slaves how to read the [[Bible]], in defiance of [[Virginia]] law.<ref>https://www.bardofthesouth.com/stonewall-jacksons-black-sunday-school/</ref><ref>https://acwm.org/blog/myths-misunderstandings-stonewall-jacksons-sunday-school</ref><ref>https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/may/5/20060505-083815-2779r/</ref><ref>https://heavy.com/news/2017/08/stonewall-jackson-slavery-slaves-did-own-monument-family-black-sunday-school-descendants-jack-warren-christian/</ref>

Jackson taught Sunday school to blacks and freed slaves how to read the [[Bible]], in defiance of [[Virginia]] law.<ref>https://www.bardofthesouth.com/stonewall-jacksons-black-sunday-school/</ref><ref>https://acwm.org/blog/myths-misunderstandings-stonewall-jacksons-sunday-school</ref><ref>https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/may/5/20060505-083815-2779r/</ref><ref>https://heavy.com/news/2017/08/stonewall-jackson-slavery-slaves-did-own-monument-family-black-sunday-school-descendants-jack-warren-christian/</ref>

==Early military career==

==Early military career==

[[Image:Young stonewall.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Jackson as he appeared in Mexico, 1847.]]

[[Image:Young stonewall.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Jackson as he appeared in Mexico, 1847.]]

He joined his new regiment, the First Artillery, in Mexico, where the United States was engaged in war. He distinguished himself at Veracruz, serving with the most advanced batteries while constantly under Mexican fire, earning a promotion to first lieutenant for “gallant and meritorious conduct.”  After the battle he learned that fellow officer John B. Magruder had been placed in command of a captured enemy battery, and was looking for officers.  Believing that Magruder would soon be involved in battle, Jackson quickly joined him, and became involved in the thick of the fighting at Churubusco.  By the time the war ended, he had attained the rank of brevet major, and was publicly praised by General [[Winfield Scott]].  It was in Mexico that Jackson learned qualities that he put to use later during the Civil War, abilities which helped to make him famous: resourcefulness, a clear mind when the enemy fire was at its hottest, and sheer bravery (TL 6, pg. 25).

He joined his new regiment, the First Artillery, in Mexico, where the United States was engaged in war. He distinguished himself at Veracruz, serving with the most advanced batteries while constantly under Mexican fire, earning a promotion to first lieutenant for “gallant and meritorious conduct.”  After the battle, he learned that fellow officer John B. Magruder had been placed in command of a captured enemy battery, and was looking for officers.  Believing that Magruder would soon be involved in battle, Jackson quickly joined him, and became involved in the thick of the fighting at Churubusco.  By the time the war ended, he had attained the rank of brevet major, and was publicly praised by General [[Winfield Scott]].  It was in Mexico that Jackson learned qualities that he put to use later during the Civil War, abilities which helped to make him famous: resourcefulness, a clear mind when the enemy fire was at its hottest, and sheer bravery (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.&nbsp;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 still birthing 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.&nbsp;29–32).

==The Civil War==

==The Civil War==

By the spring of 1862 Jackson was again in the Shenandoah Valley, his diversionary tactics preventing reinforcements being sent to Major General George B. McClellan, the Union commander waging the Peninsular Campaign against the Confederate capitol of Richmond. Jackson's strategy and ultimate victory in the valley quite possibly accounted for General [[Robert E. Lee]]'s later victory in the Seven Days' Battles.  By rapid movement of his First Division (his “Foot Cavalry”), Jackson engaged with several Federal units separately and defeated them. By the end of May he had attacked General Nathaniel P. Banks, driving him out of Winchester and the Valley, and back to the Potomac River (TL 6, pg. 120).

By the spring of 1862 Jackson was again in the Shenandoah Valley, his diversionary tactics preventing reinforcements being sent to Major General George B. McClellan, the Union commander waging the Peninsular Campaign against the Confederate capitol of Richmond. Jackson's strategy and ultimate victory in the valley quite possibly accounted for General [[Robert E. Lee]]'s later victory in the Seven Days' Battles.  By rapid movement of his First Division (his “Foot Cavalry”), Jackson engaged with several Federal units separately and defeated them. By the end of May he had attacked General Nathaniel P. Banks, driving him out of Winchester and the Valley, and back to the Potomac River (TL 6, pg. 120).

He then quickly moved to the southern end of the valley, defeating the Union at Cross Keys on June 8, then at Port Republic the following day. Lee then brought Jackson's troops by road and railroad to Richmond to help in the series of attacks that would become the [[Seven Days' Battle]]. Possibly stemming from either fatigue from the Shenandoah Campaign or from inexperience in large scall operations, Jackson's command was conspicuously late from these attacks, most notably at White Oak Swamp where, rather than using available fords to cross White Oak Swamp Creek, he chose to rebuild bridges, limiting his troops' role in the battle. Although failing on a tactical level many times in the Seven Days', the mere appearance of Jackson's troops and their continued ability when employed contributed to General McClellan's fears of the Confederate army and his retreat.

He then quickly moved to the southern end of the valley, defeating the Union at Cross Keys on June 8, and then at Port Republic the following day. Lee then brought Jackson's troops by road and railroad to Richmond to help in the series of attacks that would become the [[Seven Days' Battle]]. Possibly stemming from either fatigue from the Shenandoah Campaign or from inexperience in large scale operations, Jackson's command was conspicuously late from these attacks, most notably at White Oak Swamp where, rather than using available fords to cross White Oak Swamp Creek, he chose to rebuild bridges, limiting his troops' role in the battle. Although failing on a tactical level many times in the Seven Days', the mere appearance of Jackson's troops and their continued ability when employed contributed to General McClellan's fears of the Confederate army and his retreat.

Federal forces then began regrouping under Major General John Pope when Lee joined Jackson near Manassas.  The Second Battle of Bull Run commenced when Jackson was sent to attack the rear of Pope's forces by a wide, encircling movement, decisively beating him.  Lee then had taken his forces across the Potomac into Maryland, and to protect Richmond, Jackson was sent in mid-September to capture Harpers Ferry, which was carried out successfully, enabling him to return in time to rejoin Lee in Sharpsburg for the Battle of Antietam.  Lee lost that engagement and his forces had to journey back into Virginia.

Federal forces then began regrouping under Major General John Pope when Lee joined Jackson near Manassas.  The Second Battle of Bull Run commenced when Jackson was sent to attack the rear of Pope's forces by a wide, encircling movement, decisively beating him.  Lee then had taken his forces across the Potomac into Maryland, and to protect Richmond, Jackson was sent in mid-September to capture Harpers Ferry, which was carried out successfully, enabling him to return in time to rejoin Lee in Sharpsburg for the Battle of Antietam.  Lee lost that engagement and his forces had to journey back into Virginia.

Lee would regroup his forces, dividing it into two corps: Lieutenant General James Longstreet commanding one, and the newly promoted Lieutenant General Stonewall Jackson the other.  Taking his army to Fredericksburg, Virginia in December, Lee divided his forces against the Army of the Potomac under Major General Ambrose Burnside; Jackson took his corps around the Union left and utterly defeated Burnside's rash attack.

Lee would regroup his forces, dividing them into two corps: Lieutenant General James Longstreet commanding one, and the newly promoted Lieutenant General Stonewall Jackson the other.  Taking his army to Fredericksburg, Virginia in December, Lee divided his forces against the Army of the Potomac under Major General Ambrose Burnside; Jackson took his corps around the Union left and utterly defeated Burnside's rash attack.

===Chancellorsville===

===Chancellorsville===

==Death==

==Death==

[[Image:Cadets at Jackson Grave.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Cadets gathered around Jackson's grave at Virginia Military Institute, 1868.]]

[[Image:Cadets at Jackson Grave.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Cadets gathered around Jackson's grave at Virginia Military Institute, 1868.]]

That same evening, Jackson had ridden forward to reconnoiter enemy lines, and upon returning to his own lines he was accidentally shot by his own men.  The wounds were serious, but not life-threatening; however his left arm was shattered and had to be amputated.  In a small cabin at Guinea Station, Virginia, he was left to recuperate, but pneumonia had set in, and he died under a week later.  His last words were what author James Robertson ascribed to pleasant images of his boyhood home at Jackson's Mill.  "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees" (Robertson, pg. 753).

That same evening, Jackson had ridden forward to reconnoiter enemy lines, and upon returning to his own lines he was accidentally shot by his own men.  The wounds were serious, but not life-threatening; however, his left arm was shattered and had to be amputated.  In a small cabin at Guinea Station, Virginia, he was left to recuperate, but pneumonia had set in, and he died under a week later.  His last words were what author James Robertson ascribed to pleasant images of his boyhood home at Jackson's Mill.  "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees" (Robertson, pg. 753).

==Assessment==

==Assessment==

The aide to Jackson, Lieutenant Henry Kyd Douglas, once said of the general when he first laid eyes on him, "General Lee was the handsomest man I ever saw.  John C. Brekinridge was a model of manly beauty, John B. Gordon a picture for the sculptor, and Joseph E. Johnston looked every inch a soldier.  None of these things could be said of Jackson" (TL 6, pg. 18).  Jackson, as it turned out, had surprised many.  Of Lee's lieutenants in battle, Jackson was considered his right arm and his most effective battlefield commander.  The qualities of each man complimented the other, Jackson trusting Lee to the point of merely nodding his head in agreement with Lee's plans before carrying them out.  He was a master of surprise tactics and rapid movements, his own plans kept so secret that even his officers did not know of them until he was ready to make a strike.  Despite this, and despite his many eccentricities, his own men completely trusted him and fought effectively under his command.

The aide to Jackson, Lieutenant Henry Kyd Douglas, once said of the general when he first laid eyes on him, "General Lee was the handsomest man I ever saw.  John C. Brekinridge was a model of manly beauty, John B. Gordon a picture for the sculptor, and Joseph E. Johnston looked every inch a soldier.  None of these things could be said of Jackson" (TL 6, pg. 18).  Jackson, as it turned out, had surprised many.  Of Lee's lieutenants in battle, Jackson was considered his right arm and his most effective battlefield commander.  The qualities of each man complimented the other, Jackson trusting Lee to the point of merely nodding his head in agreement with Lee's plans before carrying them out.  He was a master of surprise tactics and rapid movements, his own plans were kept so secret that even his officers did not know of them until he was ready to make a strike.  Despite this, and despite his many eccentricities, his own men completely trusted him and fought effectively under his command.

==References==

==References==