General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson

If He would have been at Gettysburg

Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was born on January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). His early life was one marked by adversity and resilience, qualities that would shape the man who would become one of the Confederacy's most revered generals.

Jackson's childhood was affected by the death of his father, Jonathan Jackson, when young Thomas was only two years old. His mother, Julia Neale Jackson, struggled to provide for her three children, and after her death when Thomas was just seven, he was sent to live with an uncle in the harsh frontier town of Jackson's Mill. It was there, in the rugged Appalachian foothills, that Jackson developed a self-reliant spirit and a stoic demeanor.

In 1842, Jackson secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Although he was far from a natural scholar, his dogged determination allowed him to rise steadily in the ranks of his class, graduating in 1846, seventeenth out of fifty-nine cadets. He immediately joined the U.S. army and was sent to fight in the Mexican-American War, where he distinguished himself at the battles of Veracruz, Contreras, and Chapultepec. It was during this conflict that Jackson's reputation for calm under fire and steady aggression began to take shape.

After the war, Jackson returned to civilian life, accepting a position as a professor of natural and experimental philosophy at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia. Here, Jackson's rigid discipline and peculiar teaching methods earned him the nickname "Tom Fool" from his students, who found his demeanor and eccentricities baffling. But those who looked deeper saw a man of profound faith and unyielding principle, characteristics that would later define his military career. Jackson owned a home in the beautiful mountain town of Lexington where he did some farming and became an active part of the town.

With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Jackson's life took a dramatic turn. He joined the Confederate army, and his first significant action came at the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Manassas) in July 1861. As Union forces pushed Confederate lines back, Jackson's brigade held firm on Henry Hill. Confederate General Barnard Bee, seeking to rally his wavering troops, pointed to Jackson and exclaimed, "There stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!" From that moment, Thomas Jackson would forever be known as "Stonewall," a moniker that symbolized his steadfastness and resolve.

Jackson's brilliance as a tactician became increasingly apparent during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign in the spring of 1862. With a force that was often outnumbered, Jackson employed rapid movements and deceptive strategies to defeat multiple Union armies, securing his place as one of the Confederacy's most effective generals. His campaigns were marked by a mastery of maneuver warfare, earning him comparisons to some of history's greatest military minds.

The Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863 stands as a testament to Jackson's audacity and strategic genius. Under the command of General Robert E. Lee, Jackson executed a daring flanking maneuver that routed the Union Army's XI Corps, securing a stunning Confederate victory. However, this triumph would come at a great cost. As Jackson rode out to scout the enemy's position that evening, his own men, mistaking him for a Union officer, fired upon him. Jackson was struck by three bullets, leading to the amputation of his left arm.

Despite initial hopes for his recovery, Jackson succumbed to complications from pneumonia on May 10, 1863. His final words, spoken with a calmness that echoed the serenity he often displayed on the battlefield, were, "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."

Stonewall Jackson's legacy is one of complexity, marked by his devout faith, his relentless military prowess, and his unwavering commitment to the cause he believed in. His life, though cut short, left an indelible mark on the history of the American Civil War, and he remains a figure of fascination and admiration, embodying the virtues of discipline, determination, and an iron will in the face of overwhelming odds.

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's Civil War activity is a chronicle of military brilliance, marked by audacity, rapid maneuvers, and a profound impact on the Confederate war effort. After the First Battle of Bull Run, where he earned his iconic nickname, Jackson quickly became one of the Confederacy’s most trusted and feared commanders. His military engagements from 1861 to 1863 display a trajectory of increasing influence and tactical mastery.

The Shenandoah Valley Campaign (1862)

Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign remains one of the most studied military campaigns in history, showcasing his unparalleled ability to conduct rapid and decisive operations. The campaign began in the spring of 1862, at a time when Confederate fortunes appeared bleak. Union forces, under the command of General George B. McClellan, threatened the Confederate capital of Richmond with overwhelming numbers.

Jackson, commanding a small force of about 17,000 men, was tasked with defending the strategically vital Shenandoah Valley. The Valley, with its fertile lands and strategic location, served as the "breadbasket" of the Confederacy and a natural corridor for potential Union invasions into the Southern heartland.

With a combination of speed, surprise, and boldness, Jackson bewildered and outmaneuvered Union forces. Over the course of the campaign, he marched his men over 650 miles in just over 40 days, earning them the nickname "Jackson's Foot Cavalry" for their speed. Jackson's force defeated multiple Union armies, including those of Generals Nathaniel Banks, John C. Frémont, and James Shields, in a series of engagements at Kernstown, McDowell, Front Royal, Winchester, Cross Keys, and Port Republic.

His victories in the Shenandoah Valley not only boosted Southern morale but also diverted Union forces away from Richmond, aiding General Robert E. Lee's successful defense of the Confederate capital during the Peninsula Campaign. Jackson's exploits in the Valley firmly established him as one of the most formidable military commanders of the Civil War.

The Seven Days Battles and Second Manassas (1862)

Following his success in the Shenandoah Valley, Jackson joined forces with General Lee for the defense of Richmond. During the Seven Days Battles in late June 1862, Jackson’s performance was uncharacteristically sluggish. Fatigue and the demands of coordinating with other Confederate commanders may have contributed to his lackluster showing, but the overall campaign succeeded in forcing McClellan's Union army to retreat from the outskirts of Richmond.

However, Jackson quickly regained his form during the Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas) in August 1862. Lee, seeking to capitalize on the Union's disarray, sent Jackson on a bold flanking maneuver to seize the Union supply depot at Manassas Junction. Jackson's troops captured vast quantities of supplies and then positioned themselves in a defensive stance along Stony Ridge. The ensuing battle saw Jackson’s men repel repeated Union assaults under General John Pope, holding their ground until Lee's main force arrived to deliver a crushing counterattack. The Confederate victory at Second Manassas cemented Jackson's reputation as a tactical genius, one whose presence on the battlefield often spelled doom for his adversaries.

The Maryland Campaign and Antietam (1862)

In September 1862, Jackson played a crucial role in the Confederate invasion of the North during the Maryland Campaign. Lee divided his forces, sending Jackson to capture the Union garrison at Harpers Ferry, a strategic location where the Shenandoah River meets the Potomac. Jackson's meticulously coordinated assault led to the capture of over 12,000 Union soldiers, one of the largest surrenders in U.S. military history.

Following this triumph, Jackson rejoined Lee's army in time for the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) on September 17, 1862. Antietam would become the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with over 22,000 casualties. Jackson's troops held the Confederate left flank against fierce Union attacks at the Cornfield, the West Woods, and the Dunker Church. Though the battle ended in a tactical draw, the Union claimed a strategic victory, as Lee was forced to retreat back into Virginia. Despite the stalemate, Jackson's defensive performance at Antietam reinforced his status as a commander capable of extraordinary feats under pressure.

The Fredericksburg Campaign (1862) and the Battle of Chancellorsville (1863)

In December 1862, Jackson took part in the Battle of Fredericksburg, where he commanded the Confederate right flank. The battle, marked by the futile and bloody Union assaults against entrenched Confederate positions on Marye's Heights, resulted in a devastating Union defeat. Jackson's corps played a key role in repelling the Union advance, contributing to one of the Confederacy's most lopsided victories.

However, it was the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863 that truly encapsulated Jackson's military genius. Faced with a Union army twice the size of his own, General Lee, with Jackson at his side, devised a daring plan to divide their already outnumbered forces. Lee entrusted Jackson with a critical flanking maneuver, sending him on a 12-mile march through dense wilderness to attack the exposed right flank of General Joseph Hooker’s Union army.

On the evening of May 2, Jackson’s corps launched a surprise attack that utterly shattered the Union XI Corps, causing panic and confusion in the Union ranks. The audacity of the maneuver, coupled with its devastating execution, underscored Jackson's ability to turn the tide of battle with swift, decisive action. However, this moment of triumph would soon be overshadowed by tragedy. While scouting ahead of his lines that night, Jackson was mistakenly shot by his own men, an accident that led to his eventual death a few days later.

Jackson's death was a severe blow to the Confederate cause. General Lee, upon hearing the news, lamented, "I have lost my right arm," a testament to the deep trust and reliance he placed in Jackson. The Confederacy would never again possess a commander with Jackson's unique combination of tactical brilliance, speed of action, and unyielding resolve.

Legacy and Impact

Stonewall Jackson’s Civil War career, though tragically brief, left an indelible mark on the course of the conflict. His campaigns are still studied in military academies around the world for their innovative tactics and his ability to achieve significant results with limited resources. Jackson’s deep religious convictions, combined with his relentless pursuit of victory, created a persona that both inspired his troops and terrified his enemies.

Jackson's legacy endures not just as a Confederate hero, but as a figure of enduring fascination in American history—a symbol of unwavering devotion to duty, and the complexities of the Civil War itself. His life and military career remain a testament to the profound impact that one individual can have on the course of history, shaping the destiny of a nation in its most tumultuous hour.

The enduring question concerning General Jackson is: How would the Battle of Gettysburg have turned out if Jackson commanded his divisions, brigades, and regiments instead of the man who replaced him, General Richard Ewell?

Sources

1. Robertson, James I. Jr. “Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend.” Macmillan, 1997.

   - This comprehensive biography by James I. Robertson Jr. is one of the most authoritative sources on Jackson's life. It covers his personal life, military strategies, and his impact on the Civil War.

2. Davis, William C. “The History of the Civil War: The Commanders.” Smithmark Publishers, 1990.

   - William C. Davis provides a detailed analysis of key figures in the Civil War, including Jackson, with a focus on his leadership and military strategies.

3. Henderson, G.F.R. “Stonewall Jackson and the American Civil War.” Longmans, Green, and Co., 1898.

   - Henderson's work is a classic military biography that delves into Jackson's tactics and campaigns during the Civil War.

4. Foote, Shelby. “The Civil War: A Narrative.” Random House, 1958-1974.

   - Shelby Foote's multi-volume work on the Civil War provides a narrative account of Jackson's role in the conflict, particularly in key battles such as Bull Run and Chancellorsville.

5. Eicher, David J. “The Longest Night: A Military History of the Civil War.” Simon & Schuster, 2001.

   - This book offers an extensive military history of the Civil War, with insights into Jackson's campaigns and the broader context of the war.

6. “Official Records of the War of the Rebellion.” U.S. War Department, 1880-1901.

   - The Official Records provide primary source material on Jackson's military actions, including reports and correspondence during the Civil War.