Changes

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). Jackson was instrumental in persuading the Confederacy to adopt the Minie ball during The Civil War, based upon his experiences with the weapon prior to the war.

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).