Born in Clarksville, VA on January 21, 1824, Jackson was appointed to a cadetship at West Point at the age of 18. Upon graduation at the age of 22, he received brevet rank of second lieutenant and served in the Mexican War. Due to gallantry and good conduct, he received several promotions and by the end of the Mexican war had attained the rank of major.
In 1851, Jackson was elected to a position at the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington and resigned his commission in the United States Army. A deeply religious man, he joined the Presbyterian church and studied the Bible religiously.
He was married in 1853 to Elanor Junkin, but she passed away soon thereafter. His second marriage was to Mary Anna Morrison in July of 1857.
Stonewall Jackson Secedes
When the state of Virginia seceded from the Union, the military cadets under Jackson were ordered to the field and saw their first action at Harpers Ferry. From there, Jackson and his brigade saw action fighting with Bereguard at the Battle of First Manassas and it was at Manassas where Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall.”
Stonewall Jackson’s Confederate Battles
In the great Virigina Valley campaign, the only defeat Jackson suffered came at Kernstown when he attacked what he thought was the rear guard of the Union army. Faulty intelligence led to his defeat but the battle achieved the result of pulling away reinforcements being sent to McClellan’s army currently occupied attacking Richmond.
After repulsing Fremont's advance at McDowell, he achieved victories at Front Royal, 1st Winchester, Cross Keys, and Port Republic before joining Robert E. Lee in the defense of Richmond in the Seven Day’s battles.
After repulsing the Federals at Richmond, Lee sent Jackson to Manassas Junction where he captured the Union supply base and held on until Longstreet could arrive and crush the Union forces in the battle of Second Manassas.
Jackson then participated in the Maryland campaign, holding the Confederate right against all Union assaults at the Battle of Fredricksburg.
Stonewall Jackson is Lost to Confederate Cause
At the Battle of Chancellorville, Stonewall Jackson was lost to the Confederate cause. After what perhaps was his greatest day, leading his men around the Union flank and routing the Union 11th Corps, Jackson reconnoitered the situation that night and was fired upon by his own men who mistook him and his escort for the enemy. The next day, his men rallied to the Confederate cause with the battle cry of “Remember Jackson.”
Jackson lived for eight days after the amputation of his arm and died from pneumonia. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant-General and his “Stonewall” Brigade became the only Confederate brigade to have its nickname become its official designation.
His famous last words as he drifted away from this world to rest in the company of his Lord and Savior echo for all of eternity.
“Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees . . .”
Sources:
<Son of the South> Retrieved on 9/16/08.
<ehistory Archive> Retrieved on 9/16/08.
<CivilWarHome> Retrieved on 9/16/08.
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