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Posted on May 2, 2021
How in the World Did They Shoot Stonewall Jackson?
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On May 2, 1863, Stonewall Jackson, during the attack at Chancellorsville, was wounded by his own men. Friendly fire and the fog of war. Here is an excerpt which details the event.
"As Jackson turned back toward his line, several important things were happening almost simultaneously. Not far away, Hill was doing some reconnaissance of his own. He did not have a local guide, however, and did not know about the Mountain Road, so he and his nine-
member party took the more exposed route along the Plank Road, almost parallel with Jackson.
Farther down the Confederate line toward the south, a lost Federal unit, the 128th Pennsylvania Infantry, wandered into the no-man’s land between the skirmishers of the 33rd North Carolina and the main Confederate line. The Pennsylvanians were quickly captured, but their presence, which had been undetected by the skirmishers, left the Confederates on edge.
Soon a Federal horseman showed up, sparking a firefight. Spooked, the far right of the Confederate line opened up, firing mostly at nothing—and like a contagion, more and more Confederates joined in the shooting. The wave of musket fire rolled north along the Confederate line.
The rolling thunder first caught Hill’s party, exposed in the moonlight out on the Plank Road. Only Hill himself was unscathed; everyone else in his party was killed, wounded or carried toward enemy lines on the back of a bolting horse.
The fire also ripped across Jackson’s front.
“Cease firing! You are firing into your own men!” yelled Lieutenant Joseph G. Morrison, Jackson’s brother-in-law and staff member, whose horse was shot in the initial volley.
The North Carolinians were veterans who’d seen every trick—and besides, hadn’t Federal cavalry been caught behind the lines just hours before? There were dead horses and horsemen near the road and in the woods. And weren’t these horsemen coming from the direction of the Union lines? “It’s a lie,” the North Carolinians responded. Another volley erupted.
Jackson was around 90 yards from the front line. At that range, a smoothbore musket has about a 1-in-16 chance of hitting its target—and that’s if the shooter has a clear range of fire. Jackson’s party was riding through a thick forest, in the dark. Jackson would have cut an especially dark figure because he was wearing a long, black India-rubber raincoat. The roadbed had, over the years, cut into the earth so that it ran a few yards below the level of the surrounding terrain; that road embankment essentially served as additional protection. “[T]he thickness of the woods afforded some shield,” too, one of Jackson’s staffers later said.
Still, one staffer was killed and another wounded; the others escaped untouched—except, of course, for Jackson."
"As Jackson turned back toward his line, several important things were happening almost simultaneously. Not far away, Hill was doing some reconnaissance of his own. He did not have a local guide, however, and did not know about the Mountain Road, so he and his nine-
member party took the more exposed route along the Plank Road, almost parallel with Jackson.
Farther down the Confederate line toward the south, a lost Federal unit, the 128th Pennsylvania Infantry, wandered into the no-man’s land between the skirmishers of the 33rd North Carolina and the main Confederate line. The Pennsylvanians were quickly captured, but their presence, which had been undetected by the skirmishers, left the Confederates on edge.
Soon a Federal horseman showed up, sparking a firefight. Spooked, the far right of the Confederate line opened up, firing mostly at nothing—and like a contagion, more and more Confederates joined in the shooting. The wave of musket fire rolled north along the Confederate line.
The rolling thunder first caught Hill’s party, exposed in the moonlight out on the Plank Road. Only Hill himself was unscathed; everyone else in his party was killed, wounded or carried toward enemy lines on the back of a bolting horse.
The fire also ripped across Jackson’s front.
“Cease firing! You are firing into your own men!” yelled Lieutenant Joseph G. Morrison, Jackson’s brother-in-law and staff member, whose horse was shot in the initial volley.
The North Carolinians were veterans who’d seen every trick—and besides, hadn’t Federal cavalry been caught behind the lines just hours before? There were dead horses and horsemen near the road and in the woods. And weren’t these horsemen coming from the direction of the Union lines? “It’s a lie,” the North Carolinians responded. Another volley erupted.
Jackson was around 90 yards from the front line. At that range, a smoothbore musket has about a 1-in-16 chance of hitting its target—and that’s if the shooter has a clear range of fire. Jackson’s party was riding through a thick forest, in the dark. Jackson would have cut an especially dark figure because he was wearing a long, black India-rubber raincoat. The roadbed had, over the years, cut into the earth so that it ran a few yards below the level of the surrounding terrain; that road embankment essentially served as additional protection. “[T]he thickness of the woods afforded some shield,” too, one of Jackson’s staffers later said.
Still, one staffer was killed and another wounded; the others escaped untouched—except, of course, for Jackson."
How in the World Did They Shoot Stonewall Jackson?
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Civil War
American History
Military History
Friendly Fire
Combat
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Coroner's Report: Stonewall Jackson | History
The Confederate general Stonewall Jackson was accidentally shot by his own men during a major Civil War battle, but it wasn't his wounds that killed him eigh...
Thank you my friend SGT (Join to see) for reminding us that on May 2, 1863, CSA LTG Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson, during the attack at Chancellorsville, was wounded by his own men.
Coroner's Report: Stonewall Jackson | History
The Confederate general Stonewall Jackson was accidentally shot by his own men during a major Civil War battle, but it wasn't his wounds that killed him eight days later. How exactly did the commander die?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCgB0aHEDhI
Images:
1. May 2, 1863 CSA LTG Stonewall Jackson wounded by one of his own soldiers as he reconnoitered during the Battle of Chancellorsville
2. Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson family portrait with his second wife Mary Anna Morrison and daughter Julia
3. 1863-05-02_Chancellorsville Day 3 Jackson's Flank Attack
Background from {[https://virginiahistory.org/learn/historical-book/chapter/eyewitness-account-stonewall-jacksons-wounding]}
AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF STONEWALL JACKSON'S WOUNDING
General Orders No. 61
An Eyewitness Account of Stonewall Jackson's Wounding
On the second day of the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia experienced its greatest tactical success and, at the same time, suffered its most grievous casualty. Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson led his Confederate 2nd Corps on a devastating attack against the vulnerable right flank of the Union Army of the Potomac. The southern assault overwhelmed the unsuspecting Union XI Corps and drove it nearly three miles before the Federals managed to form a defensive position in the densely wooded region south of the Rapidan River known as the "Wilderness." A little after 9 p.m. Gen. Jackson, anxious to continue the attack, rode forward ahead of the still-forming main Confederate line with members of his staff to assess the situation. In the darkness southern infantrymen mistook them for Union cavalry and fired a volley into the mounted men. Three bullets struck Jackson while others in his party were killed or wounded.
Among those riding with the general was Capt. Richard Eggleston Wilbourn, Jackson's signal officer. In the chaos that followed, Wilbourn and several others tended to the general and helped get him to an ambulance that carried him to a field hospital where Jackson's left arm was amputated. The next day he was taken to a safe place south of Fredericksburg to recover. But a week later, on May 10, Jackson died from pneumonia. Before the general died, Capt. Wilbourn wrote an eight-page letter to Col. Charles J. Faulkner, assistant adjutant general on Jackson's staff, describing in detail the events surrounding the general's wounding. That letter is preserved in the society's manuscripts collection. A complete transcription of Wilbourn's letter appears below.
Transcription:
H[ea]d Q[ua]r[ter]s 2nd Army Corps
[?] May 1863
Col. C. J. Faulkner,
A.A. Gen.
Sir,
At your request I will endeavor to give you a correct account of the manner in which Gen. [Thomas J.] Jackson was wounded. Gen. J. attacked the enemy in the rear near the Wilderness Church on the evening of the 2nd of May and drove the enemy before him till about 9 o'clock p.m. when the firing ceased. The road on which we were advancing ran nearly due east & west & our line extended across this road & at right angles to it, our front being towards Chancellorsville or facing east. The gallant [Brig. Gen. Robert E.] Rodes with his veterans drove the enemy at the rate of nearly two miles per hour, and cheer after cheer rent the air as our victorious columns drove the enemy from his chosen position. I have never seen Gen. J. seem so well pleased with his success as that evening—he was in unusually fine sprits and every time he heard the cheering of our men which is ever the signal of victory—he raised his right hand a few seconds as if in acknowledgement of the blessing and to return thanks to God for the victory. About 9 o'clock the firing ceased and all seemed quiet and Gen. J. ordered Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill to the front to relieve Gen. Rodes whose command had been engaged all the evening and who was consequently ordered back to the rear to rest his troops. Gen. J. now rode to the front and meeting Gen. R. said to him "Gen. I congratulate you and your command for your gallant conduct and I shall take pleasure in giving you a good name in my report," and rode on to the front passing Gen. Hill, who was in front getting his command in position & fortifying his line—Gen. J. ordered Capt. [James K.] Boswell, his Chief Engineer to report to Gen. Hill for orders and sent Capt. [James P.] Smith, his aide-de-camp off with
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orders. Maj. [Alexander S.] Pendleton, A. A. Gen. had previously been sent off with orders. I had just returned from carrying an order and had just reported that his order had been delivered, when he replied as is his custom "very good." So there was no one left with Gen. J at this time, but myself and Messrs. Wm. E. Cunliffe & W. T. Wynn of the Signal Corps, and Capt. [William F.] Randolph in charge of the few couriers present. Gen. J with this escort was now at about fifty or sixty yards more or less distance in advance of Gen. Hill who was in advance of his troops. Gen. [James H.] Lane's Brigade extended across the road just in the rear of Gen. Hill, and commended firing at us from the right for some cause I suppose taking us for the enemy and the firing extended unexpectedly along his whole line. When the firing commenced all our horses had been frightened and started off—some moving into the enemy's lines. At the first fire some of the horses were shot from under their riders and several persons killed or wounded. Mr. Cunliffe of the Signal Corps fell in a few feet of Gen. J., mortally wounded. Gen. J.'s horse dashed off in the opposite direction, that is to the left, at the first firing, as did all of the escort who escaped this fire & who could control their horses. I was at Gen. J.'s left side & kept there. When we had gotten about fifteen or twenty paces to the left of the road, we came up in a few yards of the troops of this same Brigade on the left of the road and received their fire, as the fire had by that time extended to the extreme left of the Brigade and it was by this last fire that Gen. J. was struck in three places, viz, in the left arm half way between the elbow & shoulder, in the left wrist, and in the palm of the right hand. The troops who fired at us did not appear to be more than thirty yards off, as I could see them though it was after 9 o'clock P.M. He held his reins in his left hand which immediately dropped by his side and his horse perfectly frantic dashed back into the road, passing under the limb of a tree which took off his cap, and ran down the road towards the enemy. I followed, losing my cap at the same bush—but before I could catch his horse & when about fifty yards from where he was wounded, he succeeded in getting
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his reins in his right hand—also disabled—and turned his head towards our lines and he then ran up the road. We were now so far in advance of our troops as to be out of their range. Just as his horse got within twenty paces of where we were first fired at—Mr. Wynn & myself succeeded in catching his horse and stopping him. The firing had now ceased and no one was in sight—save we three—Gen. J. looked up the road towards our troops apparently much surprised at being fired at from that direction, but said nothing. Just then Mr. Wynn saw a man on horseback near by and told him to "ride back & see what troops those are," pointing in the direction of our troops and he rode off at once—I then remarked, "those certainly must be our troops" and looked at Gen. J. to see what he would say, but he said nothing, though seemed to nodded assent to my remark. He continued looking up the road, standing perfectly still and uttered not a word till Mr. Wynn asked him if he was hurt much, when he replied "severely." I saw something must be done at once, and as I did not know whether he could ride back into our lines, I asked, "Gen. are you hurt very badly," he replied, "I fear my arm is broken." I then asked, "where are you struck," said he, "about half way between the elbow and shoulder." I asked, "Gen. are your hurt any where else," he replied, "yes, a slight wound in the right hand." I did not think from his looks that he could ride back into our lines for I saw he was growing very weak from loss of blood, nor did I know but what that same Brigade would fire at us again if we approached their line from that directions as we were then directly between our friends and the enemy, and if any difference nearest the enemy, and I was fearful the enemy might come up and demand our surrender as there was nothing to prevent it. I could not tolerate for one moment the idea of his falling into the enemy's hands. I then asked the question, "Gen. what should I do for
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you" when he said, "I wish you would see if my arm is bleeding much." I immediately dismounted, remarking, "try to work your fingers, if you can move your fingers at all the arm is not broken," when he tried & commented, "yes it is broken, I can't work my fingers." I then caught hold of his wrist and could feel the blood on his sleeve and gauntlet, and saw he was growing weak rapidly. I said, "Gen. I will have to rip your sleeve to get at your wound"—he had on an india rubber overcoat—and he replied "well you had better take me down too," at the same time leaning his body towards me—and I caught hold of him—he then said "take me off on the other side." I was then on the side of the broken arm & Mr. Wynn on the other. I replied and started to straighten on his horse to take him off on the other side, when he said "no, go ahead" and fell into my arms prostrated. Mr. Wynn took the right foot out of his stirrup & came around to my side to assist in extricating the left foot while I held him in my arms and we carried him a little ways out of the road to prevent our troops or any one who might come along the road from seeing him, as I considered it necessary to conceal the fact of his being wounded from our own troops, if possible. We laid him down on his back under a little tree with his head resting on my right leg for a pillow, and proceeded to cut open his sleeve with my knife. I sent Mr. Wynn at once for Dr. [Hunter] McGuire & an ambulance as soon as I ripped up the india rubber, I said to him that I would have to cut off most of his sleeve, when he said "that is right, cut away every thing." I then took off his opera glass & haversack which were in my way—remarking, "that it was most remarkable that any of us had escaped alive" & he said "yes it is providential." I was then under the impression that all the rest of the party accompanying him had been killed or wounded, which was not far from the truth. Gen. J. then said to me "Capt. I wish you would get me a skilful surgeon."
[page 5]
I said "I have sent for Dr. McGuire and also an ambulance, as I am anxious to get you away as soon as possible, but as Dr. McGuire may be some distance off, I will get the nearest Surgeon to be found, in case you should need immediate attention," and seeing Gen. Hill approaching the spot where we were, I continued "there comes Gen. Hill, I will see if he can't furnish a Surgeon," and as Gen. H rode up, I said "Gen. H have you a surgeon with you, Gen. J. is wounded"—said Gen. H. "I can get you one" and turned to Capt. B[enjamin] W. Leigh who was acting aid de camp to him and told him to go to Gen. [Dorsey] Pender & bring his surgeon. Gen. H. dismounted and came to where Gen. J. was and said "Gen. I hope you are not badly hurt." Gen. J. "my arm is broken." Gen. H. "Do you suffer much." Gen. J. "it is very painful." Gen. Hill pulled off his gloves which were full of blood, and supported his elbow and hand, while I tied a handkerchief around the wound. The ball passed through the arm, which was very much swollen, but did not seem to be bleeding at all then, so I said, "Gen. it seems to have ceased bleeding, I will first tie a handkerchief tight around the arm" to which he said, "very good." I then said, "I will make a sling to support your arm," to which he replied, "if you please." About this time the Surgeon of Pender's Brigade, Dr. [Richard R.] Barr came up and Gen. Hill announced his presence to Gen. J. & Gen. H. offered a tourniquet to fold around the arm but as it was not bleeding at the time and seemed to be doing very well, it was not put on. The Surgeon went off a few minutes for some thing & Gen. J. then asked in a whisper "is that man a skillful surgeon." Gen. H. said, "he stands high in his Brigade, but he does not propose doing any thing—he is only here in case you should require immediate aid of a surgeon or till Dr. McGuire reaches you" Gen. J. "very good."
[page 6]
At this time Capt. [Richard H. T.] Adams, signal officer offered Gen. Hill whiskey for Gen. J.—which Gen. H. asked him to drink. He hesitated and I also asked him to drink it, adding that it would help him very much. Gen. J. "had you not better put some water with it"—which was the cause of his hesitation. Gen. H. and I both insisted on his drinking it so and taking water after it, which he did. I then said "Gen. let me pour this water over your wound," to which he said "yes, if you please, pour it so as to wet the cloth," which I did & asked "what can I do for your right hand" Gen. J. "don't mind that it is not a matter of minor consequence—I can use my fingers & it is not very painful." About this time Lts. Smith & [Joseph G.] Morrison came up and Lt. Smith unbuckled his sword & took it off. About this time Capt. Adams halted two Yankee skirmishers in a few yards of where Gen. J. lay and demanded their surrender. They remarked, "we were not aware that we were in your lines." Gen. Hill seeing this immediately hurried off to take command, saying to Gen. Jackson that he would conceal the fact of his being wounded. Gen. J. said, " yes, if you please." Lt. Morrison then reported that the enemy were in a hundred yards and advancing & said, "let us take the Gen. away as soon as possible." Some one then proposed that we take him in our arms, which Gen. J. said, "no, if you will help me up, I can walk." He was immediately raised and started off on foot with Capt. Leigh on his right side and some one, I am not sure who was on the left side to support him. When he walked a few paces he was placed on a litter borne by Capt. Leigh, Jno J. Johnson and two others whose names I am not certain of. Jno. J. Johnson of Co. "H" 22 Va. Battalion was wounded while per-
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forming this duty and his arm afterwards amputated at the socket. I could take no part in bearing the litter as I had not sufficient strength in my right arm to assist, in consequence of a wound received in a previous engagement, so I got on my horse and rode between Gen. J. and the troops who were moving down the road, to prevent if possible them seeing him and was leading a horse belonging to one of the litter bearers, which I also endeavored to keep between him & the troops in order to screen him more effectively. These troops seemed very anxious to see who it was that was wounded, they kept trying to see and asking me who it was, and seemed to think it was some Yankee officer as he was being brought from the front of our lines. To all of these questions I simply answered, "it is only a friend of mine." Gen. J. said "Capt. when asked just say it is a Confederate officer." One man was so determined to see who it was that he walked around me in spite of all I could do to prevent it & exclaimed in the most pitiful tone, "Great God that is old Gen. Jackson," when I said to him, "you mistake it is only a Confederate officer—a friend of mine." He looked at me in doubt & wanted to believe but passed on without saying any more. As soon as Gen. J. was place in the litter the enemy opened a terrific fire of musketry, shell, grape & C. which continued for about half an hour—to all of which Gen. J. was exposed. One of the litter bearers had his arm broken but did not let the litter fall—then another man just after this, fell with the litter, in consequence of getting his foot tangled in a vine. It was entirely accidental & he expressed great regret at it. Gen. J. rolled out & fell on his broken arm, causing it to com-
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mence bleeding again and very much bruising his side. He gave several most pitiful groans—but previous to this he made no complaint and gave no evidence of suffering much. After this he asked several times for sprits, which it was very difficult to get. He was much in need of a stimulant at this time as he was losing blood very fast. I went to a Yankee hospital near by and tried to get some sprits for him from their surgeons, but they had none. At this time Dr. McGuire & Maj. Pendleton got up & Dr. McGuire found him in an ambulance very much exhausted from loss of blood & he gave him some sprits—which seemed to revive him somewhat. He was then carried in the ambulance a mile or two to the rear. Just here Maj. P said to me "Capt W., Gen. Hill is slightly wounded in the leg and Gen. Rodes is in command & requests me to send for Gen. Lee & ask him to come here. I wish you would go to Gen. [Robert E.] Lee with this intelligence and send for Gen. [J. E. B.] Stuart. There are a plenty here to take care of Gen. J & you have done all you could do." I asked Capt. Randolph of the couriers to go for Gen. Stuart and he started for Gen. Stuart. I reached Gen. Lee about an hour before day and found him laying on the ground [a]sleep but as soon as I spoke to Maj. [Walter H.] Taylor, he asked who it was & when told, he told me to come & take a seat by him & give him all the news. After telling of the fight & victory, I told him Gen. J. was wounded—describing the wound—then he said, "thank God it is no worse, God be praised that he is yet alive." He then asked me some questions about the fight & said "Capt. any victory is dearly bought that deprives us of the services of Jackson even temporarily." When I returned to Gen J. his arm had been amputated & he was doing well.
Respectfully
R. E. Wilbourn
Capt. & Chief Signal Officer
2nd Army Corps
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Coroner's Report: Stonewall Jackson | History
The Confederate general Stonewall Jackson was accidentally shot by his own men during a major Civil War battle, but it wasn't his wounds that killed him eight days later. How exactly did the commander die?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCgB0aHEDhI
Images:
1. May 2, 1863 CSA LTG Stonewall Jackson wounded by one of his own soldiers as he reconnoitered during the Battle of Chancellorsville
2. Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson family portrait with his second wife Mary Anna Morrison and daughter Julia
3. 1863-05-02_Chancellorsville Day 3 Jackson's Flank Attack
Background from {[https://virginiahistory.org/learn/historical-book/chapter/eyewitness-account-stonewall-jacksons-wounding]}
AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF STONEWALL JACKSON'S WOUNDING
General Orders No. 61
An Eyewitness Account of Stonewall Jackson's Wounding
On the second day of the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia experienced its greatest tactical success and, at the same time, suffered its most grievous casualty. Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson led his Confederate 2nd Corps on a devastating attack against the vulnerable right flank of the Union Army of the Potomac. The southern assault overwhelmed the unsuspecting Union XI Corps and drove it nearly three miles before the Federals managed to form a defensive position in the densely wooded region south of the Rapidan River known as the "Wilderness." A little after 9 p.m. Gen. Jackson, anxious to continue the attack, rode forward ahead of the still-forming main Confederate line with members of his staff to assess the situation. In the darkness southern infantrymen mistook them for Union cavalry and fired a volley into the mounted men. Three bullets struck Jackson while others in his party were killed or wounded.
Among those riding with the general was Capt. Richard Eggleston Wilbourn, Jackson's signal officer. In the chaos that followed, Wilbourn and several others tended to the general and helped get him to an ambulance that carried him to a field hospital where Jackson's left arm was amputated. The next day he was taken to a safe place south of Fredericksburg to recover. But a week later, on May 10, Jackson died from pneumonia. Before the general died, Capt. Wilbourn wrote an eight-page letter to Col. Charles J. Faulkner, assistant adjutant general on Jackson's staff, describing in detail the events surrounding the general's wounding. That letter is preserved in the society's manuscripts collection. A complete transcription of Wilbourn's letter appears below.
Transcription:
H[ea]d Q[ua]r[ter]s 2nd Army Corps
[?] May 1863
Col. C. J. Faulkner,
A.A. Gen.
Sir,
At your request I will endeavor to give you a correct account of the manner in which Gen. [Thomas J.] Jackson was wounded. Gen. J. attacked the enemy in the rear near the Wilderness Church on the evening of the 2nd of May and drove the enemy before him till about 9 o'clock p.m. when the firing ceased. The road on which we were advancing ran nearly due east & west & our line extended across this road & at right angles to it, our front being towards Chancellorsville or facing east. The gallant [Brig. Gen. Robert E.] Rodes with his veterans drove the enemy at the rate of nearly two miles per hour, and cheer after cheer rent the air as our victorious columns drove the enemy from his chosen position. I have never seen Gen. J. seem so well pleased with his success as that evening—he was in unusually fine sprits and every time he heard the cheering of our men which is ever the signal of victory—he raised his right hand a few seconds as if in acknowledgement of the blessing and to return thanks to God for the victory. About 9 o'clock the firing ceased and all seemed quiet and Gen. J. ordered Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill to the front to relieve Gen. Rodes whose command had been engaged all the evening and who was consequently ordered back to the rear to rest his troops. Gen. J. now rode to the front and meeting Gen. R. said to him "Gen. I congratulate you and your command for your gallant conduct and I shall take pleasure in giving you a good name in my report," and rode on to the front passing Gen. Hill, who was in front getting his command in position & fortifying his line—Gen. J. ordered Capt. [James K.] Boswell, his Chief Engineer to report to Gen. Hill for orders and sent Capt. [James P.] Smith, his aide-de-camp off with
[page 2]
orders. Maj. [Alexander S.] Pendleton, A. A. Gen. had previously been sent off with orders. I had just returned from carrying an order and had just reported that his order had been delivered, when he replied as is his custom "very good." So there was no one left with Gen. J at this time, but myself and Messrs. Wm. E. Cunliffe & W. T. Wynn of the Signal Corps, and Capt. [William F.] Randolph in charge of the few couriers present. Gen. J with this escort was now at about fifty or sixty yards more or less distance in advance of Gen. Hill who was in advance of his troops. Gen. [James H.] Lane's Brigade extended across the road just in the rear of Gen. Hill, and commended firing at us from the right for some cause I suppose taking us for the enemy and the firing extended unexpectedly along his whole line. When the firing commenced all our horses had been frightened and started off—some moving into the enemy's lines. At the first fire some of the horses were shot from under their riders and several persons killed or wounded. Mr. Cunliffe of the Signal Corps fell in a few feet of Gen. J., mortally wounded. Gen. J.'s horse dashed off in the opposite direction, that is to the left, at the first firing, as did all of the escort who escaped this fire & who could control their horses. I was at Gen. J.'s left side & kept there. When we had gotten about fifteen or twenty paces to the left of the road, we came up in a few yards of the troops of this same Brigade on the left of the road and received their fire, as the fire had by that time extended to the extreme left of the Brigade and it was by this last fire that Gen. J. was struck in three places, viz, in the left arm half way between the elbow & shoulder, in the left wrist, and in the palm of the right hand. The troops who fired at us did not appear to be more than thirty yards off, as I could see them though it was after 9 o'clock P.M. He held his reins in his left hand which immediately dropped by his side and his horse perfectly frantic dashed back into the road, passing under the limb of a tree which took off his cap, and ran down the road towards the enemy. I followed, losing my cap at the same bush—but before I could catch his horse & when about fifty yards from where he was wounded, he succeeded in getting
[page 3]
his reins in his right hand—also disabled—and turned his head towards our lines and he then ran up the road. We were now so far in advance of our troops as to be out of their range. Just as his horse got within twenty paces of where we were first fired at—Mr. Wynn & myself succeeded in catching his horse and stopping him. The firing had now ceased and no one was in sight—save we three—Gen. J. looked up the road towards our troops apparently much surprised at being fired at from that direction, but said nothing. Just then Mr. Wynn saw a man on horseback near by and told him to "ride back & see what troops those are," pointing in the direction of our troops and he rode off at once—I then remarked, "those certainly must be our troops" and looked at Gen. J. to see what he would say, but he said nothing, though seemed to nodded assent to my remark. He continued looking up the road, standing perfectly still and uttered not a word till Mr. Wynn asked him if he was hurt much, when he replied "severely." I saw something must be done at once, and as I did not know whether he could ride back into our lines, I asked, "Gen. are you hurt very badly," he replied, "I fear my arm is broken." I then asked, "where are you struck," said he, "about half way between the elbow and shoulder." I asked, "Gen. are your hurt any where else," he replied, "yes, a slight wound in the right hand." I did not think from his looks that he could ride back into our lines for I saw he was growing very weak from loss of blood, nor did I know but what that same Brigade would fire at us again if we approached their line from that directions as we were then directly between our friends and the enemy, and if any difference nearest the enemy, and I was fearful the enemy might come up and demand our surrender as there was nothing to prevent it. I could not tolerate for one moment the idea of his falling into the enemy's hands. I then asked the question, "Gen. what should I do for
[page 4]
you" when he said, "I wish you would see if my arm is bleeding much." I immediately dismounted, remarking, "try to work your fingers, if you can move your fingers at all the arm is not broken," when he tried & commented, "yes it is broken, I can't work my fingers." I then caught hold of his wrist and could feel the blood on his sleeve and gauntlet, and saw he was growing weak rapidly. I said, "Gen. I will have to rip your sleeve to get at your wound"—he had on an india rubber overcoat—and he replied "well you had better take me down too," at the same time leaning his body towards me—and I caught hold of him—he then said "take me off on the other side." I was then on the side of the broken arm & Mr. Wynn on the other. I replied and started to straighten on his horse to take him off on the other side, when he said "no, go ahead" and fell into my arms prostrated. Mr. Wynn took the right foot out of his stirrup & came around to my side to assist in extricating the left foot while I held him in my arms and we carried him a little ways out of the road to prevent our troops or any one who might come along the road from seeing him, as I considered it necessary to conceal the fact of his being wounded from our own troops, if possible. We laid him down on his back under a little tree with his head resting on my right leg for a pillow, and proceeded to cut open his sleeve with my knife. I sent Mr. Wynn at once for Dr. [Hunter] McGuire & an ambulance as soon as I ripped up the india rubber, I said to him that I would have to cut off most of his sleeve, when he said "that is right, cut away every thing." I then took off his opera glass & haversack which were in my way—remarking, "that it was most remarkable that any of us had escaped alive" & he said "yes it is providential." I was then under the impression that all the rest of the party accompanying him had been killed or wounded, which was not far from the truth. Gen. J. then said to me "Capt. I wish you would get me a skilful surgeon."
[page 5]
I said "I have sent for Dr. McGuire and also an ambulance, as I am anxious to get you away as soon as possible, but as Dr. McGuire may be some distance off, I will get the nearest Surgeon to be found, in case you should need immediate attention," and seeing Gen. Hill approaching the spot where we were, I continued "there comes Gen. Hill, I will see if he can't furnish a Surgeon," and as Gen. H rode up, I said "Gen. H have you a surgeon with you, Gen. J. is wounded"—said Gen. H. "I can get you one" and turned to Capt. B[enjamin] W. Leigh who was acting aid de camp to him and told him to go to Gen. [Dorsey] Pender & bring his surgeon. Gen. H. dismounted and came to where Gen. J. was and said "Gen. I hope you are not badly hurt." Gen. J. "my arm is broken." Gen. H. "Do you suffer much." Gen. J. "it is very painful." Gen. Hill pulled off his gloves which were full of blood, and supported his elbow and hand, while I tied a handkerchief around the wound. The ball passed through the arm, which was very much swollen, but did not seem to be bleeding at all then, so I said, "Gen. it seems to have ceased bleeding, I will first tie a handkerchief tight around the arm" to which he said, "very good." I then said, "I will make a sling to support your arm," to which he replied, "if you please." About this time the Surgeon of Pender's Brigade, Dr. [Richard R.] Barr came up and Gen. Hill announced his presence to Gen. J. & Gen. H. offered a tourniquet to fold around the arm but as it was not bleeding at the time and seemed to be doing very well, it was not put on. The Surgeon went off a few minutes for some thing & Gen. J. then asked in a whisper "is that man a skillful surgeon." Gen. H. said, "he stands high in his Brigade, but he does not propose doing any thing—he is only here in case you should require immediate aid of a surgeon or till Dr. McGuire reaches you" Gen. J. "very good."
[page 6]
At this time Capt. [Richard H. T.] Adams, signal officer offered Gen. Hill whiskey for Gen. J.—which Gen. H. asked him to drink. He hesitated and I also asked him to drink it, adding that it would help him very much. Gen. J. "had you not better put some water with it"—which was the cause of his hesitation. Gen. H. and I both insisted on his drinking it so and taking water after it, which he did. I then said "Gen. let me pour this water over your wound," to which he said "yes, if you please, pour it so as to wet the cloth," which I did & asked "what can I do for your right hand" Gen. J. "don't mind that it is not a matter of minor consequence—I can use my fingers & it is not very painful." About this time Lts. Smith & [Joseph G.] Morrison came up and Lt. Smith unbuckled his sword & took it off. About this time Capt. Adams halted two Yankee skirmishers in a few yards of where Gen. J. lay and demanded their surrender. They remarked, "we were not aware that we were in your lines." Gen. Hill seeing this immediately hurried off to take command, saying to Gen. Jackson that he would conceal the fact of his being wounded. Gen. J. said, " yes, if you please." Lt. Morrison then reported that the enemy were in a hundred yards and advancing & said, "let us take the Gen. away as soon as possible." Some one then proposed that we take him in our arms, which Gen. J. said, "no, if you will help me up, I can walk." He was immediately raised and started off on foot with Capt. Leigh on his right side and some one, I am not sure who was on the left side to support him. When he walked a few paces he was placed on a litter borne by Capt. Leigh, Jno J. Johnson and two others whose names I am not certain of. Jno. J. Johnson of Co. "H" 22 Va. Battalion was wounded while per-
[page 7]
forming this duty and his arm afterwards amputated at the socket. I could take no part in bearing the litter as I had not sufficient strength in my right arm to assist, in consequence of a wound received in a previous engagement, so I got on my horse and rode between Gen. J. and the troops who were moving down the road, to prevent if possible them seeing him and was leading a horse belonging to one of the litter bearers, which I also endeavored to keep between him & the troops in order to screen him more effectively. These troops seemed very anxious to see who it was that was wounded, they kept trying to see and asking me who it was, and seemed to think it was some Yankee officer as he was being brought from the front of our lines. To all of these questions I simply answered, "it is only a friend of mine." Gen. J. said "Capt. when asked just say it is a Confederate officer." One man was so determined to see who it was that he walked around me in spite of all I could do to prevent it & exclaimed in the most pitiful tone, "Great God that is old Gen. Jackson," when I said to him, "you mistake it is only a Confederate officer—a friend of mine." He looked at me in doubt & wanted to believe but passed on without saying any more. As soon as Gen. J. was place in the litter the enemy opened a terrific fire of musketry, shell, grape & C. which continued for about half an hour—to all of which Gen. J. was exposed. One of the litter bearers had his arm broken but did not let the litter fall—then another man just after this, fell with the litter, in consequence of getting his foot tangled in a vine. It was entirely accidental & he expressed great regret at it. Gen. J. rolled out & fell on his broken arm, causing it to com-
[page 8]
mence bleeding again and very much bruising his side. He gave several most pitiful groans—but previous to this he made no complaint and gave no evidence of suffering much. After this he asked several times for sprits, which it was very difficult to get. He was much in need of a stimulant at this time as he was losing blood very fast. I went to a Yankee hospital near by and tried to get some sprits for him from their surgeons, but they had none. At this time Dr. McGuire & Maj. Pendleton got up & Dr. McGuire found him in an ambulance very much exhausted from loss of blood & he gave him some sprits—which seemed to revive him somewhat. He was then carried in the ambulance a mile or two to the rear. Just here Maj. P said to me "Capt W., Gen. Hill is slightly wounded in the leg and Gen. Rodes is in command & requests me to send for Gen. Lee & ask him to come here. I wish you would go to Gen. [Robert E.] Lee with this intelligence and send for Gen. [J. E. B.] Stuart. There are a plenty here to take care of Gen. J & you have done all you could do." I asked Capt. Randolph of the couriers to go for Gen. Stuart and he started for Gen. Stuart. I reached Gen. Lee about an hour before day and found him laying on the ground [a]sleep but as soon as I spoke to Maj. [Walter H.] Taylor, he asked who it was & when told, he told me to come & take a seat by him & give him all the news. After telling of the fight & victory, I told him Gen. J. was wounded—describing the wound—then he said, "thank God it is no worse, God be praised that he is yet alive." He then asked me some questions about the fight & said "Capt. any victory is dearly bought that deprives us of the services of Jackson even temporarily." When I returned to Gen J. his arm had been amputated & he was doing well.
Respectfully
R. E. Wilbourn
Capt. & Chief Signal Officer
2nd Army Corps
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Civil War Biography: General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (Jan 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) served as a Confederate General during the American Civil War. He is almost universally con...
Civil War Biography: General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (Jan 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) served as a Confederate General during the American Civil War. He is almost universally considered the most famous Confederate General after General Robert E. Lee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqTtmwZVIgo
Background from USMA Register of Graduates & Former Cadets 2015
By the way, Thomas Jonathan Jackson graduated my alma mater, USMA, West Point with the class of 1846. He graduated as graduate number 1,288 as an Artillery officer. He was promoted twice [brevet] during the Mexican War. He resigned in 1852 as a brevet Major. Professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy at Virginia Military Institute until Virginia seceded [he took a commission as a Colonel in CSA] In 1955 he was elect to be in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans.
Images:
1. CSA LTG Thomas Stonewall Jackson
2. CSA MG Thomas Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1862
3. 1862 Thomas Stonewall Jackson valley campaign map battle
4. Thomas Stonewall Jackson marches
Background from {[ https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/stonewall-jackson]}
Stonewall Jackson
HISTORY.COM EDITORS
CONTENTS
1. Stonewall Jackson’s Early Years
2. Stonewall Jackson’s Civilian Life
3. Jackson Earns His Name
4. Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign
5. Jackson’s Partnership with Lee
6. The Battle of Chancellorsville and Jackson’s Death
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (1824-63) was a war hero and one of the South’s most successful generals during the American Civil War (1861-65). After a difficult childhood, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in time to fight in the Mexican War (1846-48). He then left the military to pursue a teaching career. After his home state of Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, Jackson joined the Confederate army and quickly forged his reputation for fearlessness and tenacity during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign later that same year. He served under General Robert E. Lee (1807-70) for much of the Civil War. Jackson was a decisive factor in many significant battles until his mortal wounding by friendly fire at the age of 39 during the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863.
Stonewall Jackson’s Early Years
Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born on January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). When Jackson was two years old, his six-year-old sister died of typhoid fever. His father, Jonathan Jackson (1790-1826), an attorney, perished of the same disease a short time later, leaving his wife, Julia Neale Jackson (1798-1831), with three children and considerable debt. After Julia Jackson remarried in 1830, to a man who reportedly disliked his stepchildren, Thomas Jackson and his siblings were sent to live with various relatives. The future Civil War hero was raised by an uncle in the town of Jackson’s Mill, located in present-day West Virginia.
Did you know? In 1954, Stonewall Jackson's home in Lexington, Virginia—the only home he ever owned—was turned into a museum and historic site. Jackson lived in the home, which is filled with period furniture and some of his personal possessions, during the decade he taught at the Virginia Military Institute.
In 1842, Jackson enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Older than many of the other students, he initially struggled with the curriculum and endured frequent ridicule for his modest background and relatively poor education. However, Jackson worked hard and eventually met with academic success, graduating in 1846.
Jackson left West Point just as the Mexican War was starting and he was sent to Mexico as a lieutenant with the 1st U.S. Artillery. He quickly earned a reputation for toughness and bravery, and by the war’s end in 1848 he held the rank of brevet major. Jackson continued his military service until he accepted a professorship at the Virginia Military Institute in 1851.
Stonewall Jackson’s Civilian Life
Jackson spent 10 years as a professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy (similar to modern-day physics) at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. He was better at teaching artillery than natural philosophy, and was disliked by some cadets for his brusqueness, lack of sympathy and eccentric behavior. Students mocked him for his hypochondria and his habit of keeping one arm elevated to hide a perceived discrepancy in the length of his limbs.
In 1853, Jackson married Elinor Junkin (1825-54), the daughter of a Presbyterian minister who was the president of Washington College. She died in childbirth 14 months later; in 1857, Jackson married Mary Anna Morrison (1831-1915), the daughter of a former president of Davidson College. The following year, the couple had a daughter; however, the child lived for only a month. Jackson’s one surviving daughter, Julia Laura (1862-89), was born less than a year before her father’s death.
Jackson’s final years in the Lexington community earned him a reputation as an honest and dutiful man of devout faith. He did not drink, gamble or smoke. When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, Jackson accepted a commission as a colonel in the Confederate army and went off to war, never to return to Lexington alive.
Jackson Earns His Name
During the first wave of secession from December 1860 through February 1861, during which time seven Southern states declared their independence from the U.S., Jackson hope that his home state of Virginia would remain in the Union. However, when Virginia seceded in April 1861, he supported the Confederacy, showing his loyalty to his state over the federal government.
Jackson served only briefly as a colonel before receiving a promotion to brigadier general under General Joseph E. Johnston (1807-91). Jackson earned his nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as Manassas) in July 1861 when he rushed his troops forward to close a gap in the line against a determined Union attack. Upon observing Jackson, one of his fellow generals reportedly said, “Look, men, there is Jackson standing like a stone wall!”–a comment that spawned Jackson’s nickname. Jackson was commissioned a major general in October 1861.
Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign
In the spring of 1862, Jackson spearheaded the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, firmly establishing himself as a strong and independent commander. The Confederate army’s high command had charged him with the task of defending western Virginia from an invasion by Union troops. With an army of some 15,000 to 18,000 troops, Jackson repeatedly outmaneuvered a superior Union force of more than 60,000 men. Jackson’s army moved so quickly during the campaign that they dubbed themselves “foot cavalry.” President Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) had split the Union army into three parts, and Jackson used his mobility to attack and confuse the divided forces over the course of the campaign. He won several key victories over armies of larger size. By the campaign’s end in June, he had earned the admiration of Union generals and had become the South’s first great war hero. Jackson had prevented the Northerners from taking the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, and had done so in the face of unfavorable odds.
Jackson’s Partnership with Lee
Jackson joined Lee’s army in June 1862, and Lee was determined to keep him in the thick of the fighting in Virginia. Chosen for his tactical prowess and bravery, Jackson did not disappoint. From August 1862 until May 1863, he and his troops played key roles at the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Chancellorsville.
By October 1862, Jackson was a lieutenant general and led a significant portion of Lee’s army. His widely publicized exploits had elevated him to legendary status among Southern soldiers and citizens alike. Jackson’s bravery and success inspired devotion from his soldiers, but to his officers, he was known as overly secretive and difficult to please. He frequently punished his officers for relatively minor violations of military discipline and rarely discussed his plans with them. Rather, they were expected to obey his orders without question.
The Battle of Chancellorsville and Jackson’s Death
Lee and Jackson’s most famous victory took place near a crossroads at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia in May 1863. Facing a numerically superior Union force of 130,000 men to 60,000 of their own, Lee and Jackson devised and executed a plan to rout the army of Union General Joseph Hooker (1814-79).
Historians call this battle one of Lee’s finest moments as a Confederate general, and his success owed much to Jackson’s participation. On May 2, Jackson stealthily and quickly took 28,000 troops on an approximately 15-mile forced march to Hooker’s exposed flank while Lee engaged in diversionary attacks on his front. Jackson’s attack on the Union rear inflicted massive casualties on the superior force, and Hooker was forced to withdraw only days later.
But the victory was not without cost. Jackson’s brutal attack ended at sunset, and he took some men into the forest to scout ahead. A North Carolina regiment mistook them for enemy cavalry and opened fire, severely wounding Jackson. He was taken from the field and General J. E. B. Stuart (1833-64) took over his command. Doctors determined that a bullet had shattered the bone just below his left shoulder, and they quickly amputated Jackson’s left arm. He was transferred to a field hospital at a nearby plantation to recover. Lee dispatched a letter, writing, “Could I have directed events, I would have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your stead.” Jackson initially appeared to be healing, but he died from pneumonia on May 10, 1863, at the age of 39. Southerners mourned the death of their war hero, while Lee faced fighting the war without a highly valued general and comrade. Jackson was buried in Lexington, Virginia.”
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Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (Jan 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) served as a Confederate General during the American Civil War. He is almost universally considered the most famous Confederate General after General Robert E. Lee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqTtmwZVIgo
Background from USMA Register of Graduates & Former Cadets 2015
By the way, Thomas Jonathan Jackson graduated my alma mater, USMA, West Point with the class of 1846. He graduated as graduate number 1,288 as an Artillery officer. He was promoted twice [brevet] during the Mexican War. He resigned in 1852 as a brevet Major. Professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy at Virginia Military Institute until Virginia seceded [he took a commission as a Colonel in CSA] In 1955 he was elect to be in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans.
Images:
1. CSA LTG Thomas Stonewall Jackson
2. CSA MG Thomas Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1862
3. 1862 Thomas Stonewall Jackson valley campaign map battle
4. Thomas Stonewall Jackson marches
Background from {[ https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/stonewall-jackson]}
Stonewall Jackson
HISTORY.COM EDITORS
CONTENTS
1. Stonewall Jackson’s Early Years
2. Stonewall Jackson’s Civilian Life
3. Jackson Earns His Name
4. Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign
5. Jackson’s Partnership with Lee
6. The Battle of Chancellorsville and Jackson’s Death
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (1824-63) was a war hero and one of the South’s most successful generals during the American Civil War (1861-65). After a difficult childhood, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in time to fight in the Mexican War (1846-48). He then left the military to pursue a teaching career. After his home state of Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, Jackson joined the Confederate army and quickly forged his reputation for fearlessness and tenacity during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign later that same year. He served under General Robert E. Lee (1807-70) for much of the Civil War. Jackson was a decisive factor in many significant battles until his mortal wounding by friendly fire at the age of 39 during the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863.
Stonewall Jackson’s Early Years
Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born on January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). When Jackson was two years old, his six-year-old sister died of typhoid fever. His father, Jonathan Jackson (1790-1826), an attorney, perished of the same disease a short time later, leaving his wife, Julia Neale Jackson (1798-1831), with three children and considerable debt. After Julia Jackson remarried in 1830, to a man who reportedly disliked his stepchildren, Thomas Jackson and his siblings were sent to live with various relatives. The future Civil War hero was raised by an uncle in the town of Jackson’s Mill, located in present-day West Virginia.
Did you know? In 1954, Stonewall Jackson's home in Lexington, Virginia—the only home he ever owned—was turned into a museum and historic site. Jackson lived in the home, which is filled with period furniture and some of his personal possessions, during the decade he taught at the Virginia Military Institute.
In 1842, Jackson enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Older than many of the other students, he initially struggled with the curriculum and endured frequent ridicule for his modest background and relatively poor education. However, Jackson worked hard and eventually met with academic success, graduating in 1846.
Jackson left West Point just as the Mexican War was starting and he was sent to Mexico as a lieutenant with the 1st U.S. Artillery. He quickly earned a reputation for toughness and bravery, and by the war’s end in 1848 he held the rank of brevet major. Jackson continued his military service until he accepted a professorship at the Virginia Military Institute in 1851.
Stonewall Jackson’s Civilian Life
Jackson spent 10 years as a professor of artillery tactics and natural philosophy (similar to modern-day physics) at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. He was better at teaching artillery than natural philosophy, and was disliked by some cadets for his brusqueness, lack of sympathy and eccentric behavior. Students mocked him for his hypochondria and his habit of keeping one arm elevated to hide a perceived discrepancy in the length of his limbs.
In 1853, Jackson married Elinor Junkin (1825-54), the daughter of a Presbyterian minister who was the president of Washington College. She died in childbirth 14 months later; in 1857, Jackson married Mary Anna Morrison (1831-1915), the daughter of a former president of Davidson College. The following year, the couple had a daughter; however, the child lived for only a month. Jackson’s one surviving daughter, Julia Laura (1862-89), was born less than a year before her father’s death.
Jackson’s final years in the Lexington community earned him a reputation as an honest and dutiful man of devout faith. He did not drink, gamble or smoke. When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, Jackson accepted a commission as a colonel in the Confederate army and went off to war, never to return to Lexington alive.
Jackson Earns His Name
During the first wave of secession from December 1860 through February 1861, during which time seven Southern states declared their independence from the U.S., Jackson hope that his home state of Virginia would remain in the Union. However, when Virginia seceded in April 1861, he supported the Confederacy, showing his loyalty to his state over the federal government.
Jackson served only briefly as a colonel before receiving a promotion to brigadier general under General Joseph E. Johnston (1807-91). Jackson earned his nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as Manassas) in July 1861 when he rushed his troops forward to close a gap in the line against a determined Union attack. Upon observing Jackson, one of his fellow generals reportedly said, “Look, men, there is Jackson standing like a stone wall!”–a comment that spawned Jackson’s nickname. Jackson was commissioned a major general in October 1861.
Stonewall Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign
In the spring of 1862, Jackson spearheaded the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, firmly establishing himself as a strong and independent commander. The Confederate army’s high command had charged him with the task of defending western Virginia from an invasion by Union troops. With an army of some 15,000 to 18,000 troops, Jackson repeatedly outmaneuvered a superior Union force of more than 60,000 men. Jackson’s army moved so quickly during the campaign that they dubbed themselves “foot cavalry.” President Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) had split the Union army into three parts, and Jackson used his mobility to attack and confuse the divided forces over the course of the campaign. He won several key victories over armies of larger size. By the campaign’s end in June, he had earned the admiration of Union generals and had become the South’s first great war hero. Jackson had prevented the Northerners from taking the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, and had done so in the face of unfavorable odds.
Jackson’s Partnership with Lee
Jackson joined Lee’s army in June 1862, and Lee was determined to keep him in the thick of the fighting in Virginia. Chosen for his tactical prowess and bravery, Jackson did not disappoint. From August 1862 until May 1863, he and his troops played key roles at the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Chancellorsville.
By October 1862, Jackson was a lieutenant general and led a significant portion of Lee’s army. His widely publicized exploits had elevated him to legendary status among Southern soldiers and citizens alike. Jackson’s bravery and success inspired devotion from his soldiers, but to his officers, he was known as overly secretive and difficult to please. He frequently punished his officers for relatively minor violations of military discipline and rarely discussed his plans with them. Rather, they were expected to obey his orders without question.
The Battle of Chancellorsville and Jackson’s Death
Lee and Jackson’s most famous victory took place near a crossroads at the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia in May 1863. Facing a numerically superior Union force of 130,000 men to 60,000 of their own, Lee and Jackson devised and executed a plan to rout the army of Union General Joseph Hooker (1814-79).
Historians call this battle one of Lee’s finest moments as a Confederate general, and his success owed much to Jackson’s participation. On May 2, Jackson stealthily and quickly took 28,000 troops on an approximately 15-mile forced march to Hooker’s exposed flank while Lee engaged in diversionary attacks on his front. Jackson’s attack on the Union rear inflicted massive casualties on the superior force, and Hooker was forced to withdraw only days later.
But the victory was not without cost. Jackson’s brutal attack ended at sunset, and he took some men into the forest to scout ahead. A North Carolina regiment mistook them for enemy cavalry and opened fire, severely wounding Jackson. He was taken from the field and General J. E. B. Stuart (1833-64) took over his command. Doctors determined that a bullet had shattered the bone just below his left shoulder, and they quickly amputated Jackson’s left arm. He was transferred to a field hospital at a nearby plantation to recover. Lee dispatched a letter, writing, “Could I have directed events, I would have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your stead.” Jackson initially appeared to be healing, but he died from pneumonia on May 10, 1863, at the age of 39. Southerners mourned the death of their war hero, while Lee faced fighting the war without a highly valued general and comrade. Jackson was buried in Lexington, Virginia.”
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Stonewall Jackson | Full Documentary | Biography
Portrait of the brilliant General Thomas Jackson, who led Confederate troops in the bloody battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Bull Run, where h...
Stonewall Jackson | Full Documentary | Biography
Portrait of the brilliant General Thomas Jackson, who led Confederate troops in the bloody battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Bull Run, where he and his troops defended their position "like a stone wall."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1TrtpTv5Gs
Images:
1. Major Thomas Jackson in 1851, shortly before he left Army service. That same year, he resigned his commission and began teaching at the Virginia Military Institute.
2. The Prince (Jackson) who was also a Professor (VMI), the Shenandoah valley campaign, 1862.
3. 05-21-1862 Map of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign
4. CSA LTG Thomas Stonewall Jackson photograph
Background from {[http://www.wvculture.org/history/civilwar/jacksonstonewall01.html]}
Biography Of Stonewall Jackson
By Mrs. Emil Shaffer Nee Miss Anna Jackson Preston
Thomas Jonathan Jackson, usually known as Stonewall Jackson was born in Clarksburg, Va., now West Virginia, on the 20th day of January 1824. He died at Guinea Station, Va., on the 10th day of May 1863, being 39 years of age. He was the son of Jonathan Jackson) of Clarksburg, a promising and well-to-do young lawyer, and his beautiful and accomplished wife, Julia Beckwith Neale. His great-grandfather, John Jackson, the first of the line in America, by birth a Scotch-Irishman, came from London about 1748, and located first in Maryland and later the western portion of Virginia. The Jacksons became in time quite a numerous family, owning large boundaries of mountain land. They were noted for their honesty, indomitable wills, and physical courage, holding many positions of public trust and honor in what was then known as western Virginia.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
When Thomas Jonathan Jackson was 3 years of age his father died with typhoid fever, contracted while he was nursing his little daughter, who also died. He left a widow and three children in very limited circumstances. Mrs. Jackson, after recovering in a degree from the double shock - the death of her daughter and husband - supported her little family as best she could with her needle and by teaching school for about 3 years, when she married Capt. Blake B. Woodson, a gentleman from eastern Virginia, of excellent family and delightful manners, but visionary and unsuccessful. When her health became impaired the children were placed temporarily with relatives. A year later Jackson's mother died, and thus at the ago of 7 he was left a penniless orphan.
One story most characteristic of him is that when about 12 years of age he appeared at the house of Federal Judge John G. Jackson in Clarksburg, and addressed his wife, saying, "Aunt, Uncle Brake (referring to the relative he was then living with) and I don't agree. I have quit him and will never go back any more." He never did, but walked 18 miles to the farm of Cummins Jackson, bachelor half- brother of his father. There he lived happily until he was appointed to West Point through the political influence of his Uncle Cummins, at the age of 18. Before going to West Point he held his only political office, that of constable, and satisfactorily discharged the duties of the office.
The first year at West Point, having had but indifferent preparation, he stood near the foot of the class, but each year by dint of untiring study he advanced steadily until he graduated No. 17 in a class of 60. One of his professors remarked that if there had been 1 more year in the course before graduation he would have led his class.
After graduating at West Point in 1846 he at once went to the Mexican War and served with distinction in the battles there, coming out brevet major, with a noble reputation for bravery and extremely popular with the Mexican people of the higher classes, for whom he entertained to the end of his life great admiration.
AT LEXINGTON, VA.
In 1851 he became professor of military tactics at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va., known as the West Point of the South, at a salary of $1,200 per year and a residence. Lexington was at that time a small town in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, also the seat of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University. The community at that time was largely dominated by the Presbyterian Church, whose pastor was Rev. William S. White, for whom Jackson formed a great affection. General Jackson was deeply interested in religious matters, and though baptized in the Episcopal Church, joined the Presbyterian Church the first year he was in Lexington.
In 1853 he married Miss Eleanor Junkin, daughter of Dr. George Junkin, president of Washington College. In a year his wife died. The young husband was heartbroken, and his thoughts turned more than ever to religion. In fact, it was at this time that his intense religious nature began to assert itself outwardly.
In 1855 Jackson and Col. J. T. L. Preston, who was subsequently his adjutant general, organized a Sunday school for negroes in Lexington. Some local antagonism was aroused against them because slaves were taught to read and write in this school. The school was carried on successfully, however, up to the outbreak of the war.
On the 16th day of July 1857 he was married to Miss Mary Anna Morrison, of Lincoln County, N. C., the daughter of Dr. Robert Hall Morrison, who founded Davidson College, Davidson, N. C., and Mary Graham Morrison, a sister of Gov. William A. Graham, of North Carolina.
IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
Though opposed to secession, Jackson, like many of the leading citizens of the South, was equally opposed to the coercion of the Southern States; and, therefore, promptly offered his services to the State of Virginia when war was declared against it, believing that his first and highest loyalty was to his native State.
Jackson had been commissioned by the Governor of Virginia to take charge of the State militia detailed to keep the peace during the trial and execution of John Brown at Charles Town in 1859. In a letter to his wife he gave an interesting account of this occurrence. At the actual outbreak of hostilities he spent his time drilling soldiers. He was then made colonel of the Virginia State troops. First at Manassas, he was given his famous sobriquet of "Stonewall", by General Bee, of South Carolina. His promotions to brigadier, major general, and lieutenant general were very rapid. His fame as a soldier rests largely upon what is known as the valley campaign, McDowell, Winchester, Port Republic, Cross Keys, and Cedar Mountain. Of these, he himself is said to have considered Cedar Mountain his greatest victory.
On May 3, 1863, in the midst of the brilliant victory at Chancellorsville, he was wounded by his own men, usually supposed to belong to one of the North Carolina regiments, and died a week later.
After half a century has elapsed, it is hard to realize the feelings of sorrow and hopelessness which swept over the South when the news of Jackson's death flashed along the wires. Everywhere men and women broke down and cried as though a beloved member of their own family had been taken. When the news of his death reached Europe the newsboys and porters in the hotels announced that "Stonewall Jackson was dead", for his was a familiar name throughout the world. The people of all nations felt a great soldier and a noble Christian hero had fallen, while in the hearts of the people of the South there was a deep and unexpressed fear that the cause which they loved so well had suffered an irreparable blow the day his casket with the Confederate flag wrapped around it was placed in the cemetery at Lexington.
It is not our purpose to attempt any eulogy of Jackson's career as a soldier. The English historian, Colonel Henderson, probably the greatest military critic of the nineteenth century, says that he was in no way inferior to Wellington, Napoleon, Lee, or any of the great generals of history. He was one of the few generals who was never defeated, and without any effort on his part maintained the confidence and admiration and, one might say, the adoration of all his troops.
APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS
In private life Jackson was a simple, rather silent Scotch-Irish, Presbyterian gentleman, with large blue eyes, pensive and deep; dark-brown hair, which was very slightly curly and worn rather long; about 5 feet 11 1/2 inches in height, with a fine, full figure. His complexion was fair, almost like a girl's except when tanned by outdoor exposure. He was noted for his politeness, gentleness of manner, and love of children. While never talkative, he felt always the duty when in society to be responsive to the conversation of others, and was at times a delightful companion and full of pranks and humor, though these occasions were rare. His habits of life were methodical and rigid. According to Dr. R. L. Dabney's Life of Jackson, he always rose at dawn, had private devotions, and then took a solitary walk. When at home family prayers were held at 7 o'clock, summer and winter, and all members of his household were required to be present, but the absence of anyone did not delay the services a minute. Breakfast followed, and he went to his classroom at 8 o'clock, remaining until 11, when he returned to his study. The first book that then engaged his attention was the Bible, which was studied as he did other courses. Between dinner and supper his attention was occupied by his garden, his farm, and the duties of the church, in which he was a deacon. After supper he devoted his time for half an hour to a mental review of the studies of the next day, without reference to notes, then to reading or conversation until 10 o'clock, at which time he always retired. There was no variation in this daily program.
There were certain maxims of his life which had much to do with framing his character. One was that "you can be what you resolve to be", the other, "do your duty." His last words are supposed to have been, "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees", though others of the attendants at his bedside tell us that the last words were, "Soldiers, do your duty."
General Jackson left one infant daughter, 6 months old, whom he had the privilege of seeing upon only one occasion, when Mrs. Jackson visited him in camp. He named her Julia Neale, for his mother, and in 1885 she married Capt. William E. Christian, of Richmond, author and newspaper man, now living in Washington, D. C. She died in 1889, leaving two infant children, the eldest, Mrs. Julia Jackson Christian Preston, wife of Randolph Preston, an attorney, lives in Charlotte, N. C., and has five children; the youngest, a boy 18 months old, bears the name of his great-grandfather. Mrs. Christian's son, Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, is a major in the United States Army, now stationed (1928) at the University of Chicago. He married Miss Bertha Cook and has two children, a boy, Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, Jr., aged 11, and a girl, Margaret, aged 7.
General Jackson left surviving him an only sister, Laura, the wife of Mr. Jonathan Arnold, of Beverley, W. Va. This sister survived him until the year 1911, when she passed away at the age of 85 years, leaving one son, Hon. Thomas Jackson Arnold, and a number of grandchildren surviving her.
Mrs. Mary Anna Jackson, the widow, lived in Charlotte with her granddaughter until March 24, 1915, when at the age of 83 she passed to her reward. Her Christian faith, great wisdom, and cheerful, courageous disposition marked her as a most unusual woman. Her plan of life was as simple as her husband's, which consisted of finding out each day what she believed to be her duty, through prayer, Bible reading, and meditation, and then doing it uncomplainingly and with as little affectation as possible.
In 1907, when offered a pension by the Legislature of North Carolina, though she greatly needed it, she authorized one of her relatives, then a member of that body, to say that she preferred the money be given to help needy soldiers, or to found a school for wayward boys. At this session there was chartered the Stonewall Jackson Training School, one of the greatest institutions of its kind in America, and certainly the name it bears is an appropriate and inspiring one for the 500 boys enrolled there.
General Jackson's life was representative of the simple virtues for which the South was noted - honesty in thought, speech, and action, freedom from sordid ambition for wealth or notoriety, a high sense of honor and chivalry, unselfish patriotism, and benevolence toward his fellow men. To these traits were added an absolute reliance upon God, and trust in His providence as guarding, guiding, and controlling the daily lives of His servants."
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Portrait of the brilliant General Thomas Jackson, who led Confederate troops in the bloody battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Bull Run, where he and his troops defended their position "like a stone wall."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1TrtpTv5Gs
Images:
1. Major Thomas Jackson in 1851, shortly before he left Army service. That same year, he resigned his commission and began teaching at the Virginia Military Institute.
2. The Prince (Jackson) who was also a Professor (VMI), the Shenandoah valley campaign, 1862.
3. 05-21-1862 Map of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign
4. CSA LTG Thomas Stonewall Jackson photograph
Background from {[http://www.wvculture.org/history/civilwar/jacksonstonewall01.html]}
Biography Of Stonewall Jackson
By Mrs. Emil Shaffer Nee Miss Anna Jackson Preston
Thomas Jonathan Jackson, usually known as Stonewall Jackson was born in Clarksburg, Va., now West Virginia, on the 20th day of January 1824. He died at Guinea Station, Va., on the 10th day of May 1863, being 39 years of age. He was the son of Jonathan Jackson) of Clarksburg, a promising and well-to-do young lawyer, and his beautiful and accomplished wife, Julia Beckwith Neale. His great-grandfather, John Jackson, the first of the line in America, by birth a Scotch-Irishman, came from London about 1748, and located first in Maryland and later the western portion of Virginia. The Jacksons became in time quite a numerous family, owning large boundaries of mountain land. They were noted for their honesty, indomitable wills, and physical courage, holding many positions of public trust and honor in what was then known as western Virginia.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
When Thomas Jonathan Jackson was 3 years of age his father died with typhoid fever, contracted while he was nursing his little daughter, who also died. He left a widow and three children in very limited circumstances. Mrs. Jackson, after recovering in a degree from the double shock - the death of her daughter and husband - supported her little family as best she could with her needle and by teaching school for about 3 years, when she married Capt. Blake B. Woodson, a gentleman from eastern Virginia, of excellent family and delightful manners, but visionary and unsuccessful. When her health became impaired the children were placed temporarily with relatives. A year later Jackson's mother died, and thus at the ago of 7 he was left a penniless orphan.
One story most characteristic of him is that when about 12 years of age he appeared at the house of Federal Judge John G. Jackson in Clarksburg, and addressed his wife, saying, "Aunt, Uncle Brake (referring to the relative he was then living with) and I don't agree. I have quit him and will never go back any more." He never did, but walked 18 miles to the farm of Cummins Jackson, bachelor half- brother of his father. There he lived happily until he was appointed to West Point through the political influence of his Uncle Cummins, at the age of 18. Before going to West Point he held his only political office, that of constable, and satisfactorily discharged the duties of the office.
The first year at West Point, having had but indifferent preparation, he stood near the foot of the class, but each year by dint of untiring study he advanced steadily until he graduated No. 17 in a class of 60. One of his professors remarked that if there had been 1 more year in the course before graduation he would have led his class.
After graduating at West Point in 1846 he at once went to the Mexican War and served with distinction in the battles there, coming out brevet major, with a noble reputation for bravery and extremely popular with the Mexican people of the higher classes, for whom he entertained to the end of his life great admiration.
AT LEXINGTON, VA.
In 1851 he became professor of military tactics at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va., known as the West Point of the South, at a salary of $1,200 per year and a residence. Lexington was at that time a small town in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, also the seat of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University. The community at that time was largely dominated by the Presbyterian Church, whose pastor was Rev. William S. White, for whom Jackson formed a great affection. General Jackson was deeply interested in religious matters, and though baptized in the Episcopal Church, joined the Presbyterian Church the first year he was in Lexington.
In 1853 he married Miss Eleanor Junkin, daughter of Dr. George Junkin, president of Washington College. In a year his wife died. The young husband was heartbroken, and his thoughts turned more than ever to religion. In fact, it was at this time that his intense religious nature began to assert itself outwardly.
In 1855 Jackson and Col. J. T. L. Preston, who was subsequently his adjutant general, organized a Sunday school for negroes in Lexington. Some local antagonism was aroused against them because slaves were taught to read and write in this school. The school was carried on successfully, however, up to the outbreak of the war.
On the 16th day of July 1857 he was married to Miss Mary Anna Morrison, of Lincoln County, N. C., the daughter of Dr. Robert Hall Morrison, who founded Davidson College, Davidson, N. C., and Mary Graham Morrison, a sister of Gov. William A. Graham, of North Carolina.
IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
Though opposed to secession, Jackson, like many of the leading citizens of the South, was equally opposed to the coercion of the Southern States; and, therefore, promptly offered his services to the State of Virginia when war was declared against it, believing that his first and highest loyalty was to his native State.
Jackson had been commissioned by the Governor of Virginia to take charge of the State militia detailed to keep the peace during the trial and execution of John Brown at Charles Town in 1859. In a letter to his wife he gave an interesting account of this occurrence. At the actual outbreak of hostilities he spent his time drilling soldiers. He was then made colonel of the Virginia State troops. First at Manassas, he was given his famous sobriquet of "Stonewall", by General Bee, of South Carolina. His promotions to brigadier, major general, and lieutenant general were very rapid. His fame as a soldier rests largely upon what is known as the valley campaign, McDowell, Winchester, Port Republic, Cross Keys, and Cedar Mountain. Of these, he himself is said to have considered Cedar Mountain his greatest victory.
On May 3, 1863, in the midst of the brilliant victory at Chancellorsville, he was wounded by his own men, usually supposed to belong to one of the North Carolina regiments, and died a week later.
After half a century has elapsed, it is hard to realize the feelings of sorrow and hopelessness which swept over the South when the news of Jackson's death flashed along the wires. Everywhere men and women broke down and cried as though a beloved member of their own family had been taken. When the news of his death reached Europe the newsboys and porters in the hotels announced that "Stonewall Jackson was dead", for his was a familiar name throughout the world. The people of all nations felt a great soldier and a noble Christian hero had fallen, while in the hearts of the people of the South there was a deep and unexpressed fear that the cause which they loved so well had suffered an irreparable blow the day his casket with the Confederate flag wrapped around it was placed in the cemetery at Lexington.
It is not our purpose to attempt any eulogy of Jackson's career as a soldier. The English historian, Colonel Henderson, probably the greatest military critic of the nineteenth century, says that he was in no way inferior to Wellington, Napoleon, Lee, or any of the great generals of history. He was one of the few generals who was never defeated, and without any effort on his part maintained the confidence and admiration and, one might say, the adoration of all his troops.
APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS
In private life Jackson was a simple, rather silent Scotch-Irish, Presbyterian gentleman, with large blue eyes, pensive and deep; dark-brown hair, which was very slightly curly and worn rather long; about 5 feet 11 1/2 inches in height, with a fine, full figure. His complexion was fair, almost like a girl's except when tanned by outdoor exposure. He was noted for his politeness, gentleness of manner, and love of children. While never talkative, he felt always the duty when in society to be responsive to the conversation of others, and was at times a delightful companion and full of pranks and humor, though these occasions were rare. His habits of life were methodical and rigid. According to Dr. R. L. Dabney's Life of Jackson, he always rose at dawn, had private devotions, and then took a solitary walk. When at home family prayers were held at 7 o'clock, summer and winter, and all members of his household were required to be present, but the absence of anyone did not delay the services a minute. Breakfast followed, and he went to his classroom at 8 o'clock, remaining until 11, when he returned to his study. The first book that then engaged his attention was the Bible, which was studied as he did other courses. Between dinner and supper his attention was occupied by his garden, his farm, and the duties of the church, in which he was a deacon. After supper he devoted his time for half an hour to a mental review of the studies of the next day, without reference to notes, then to reading or conversation until 10 o'clock, at which time he always retired. There was no variation in this daily program.
There were certain maxims of his life which had much to do with framing his character. One was that "you can be what you resolve to be", the other, "do your duty." His last words are supposed to have been, "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees", though others of the attendants at his bedside tell us that the last words were, "Soldiers, do your duty."
General Jackson left one infant daughter, 6 months old, whom he had the privilege of seeing upon only one occasion, when Mrs. Jackson visited him in camp. He named her Julia Neale, for his mother, and in 1885 she married Capt. William E. Christian, of Richmond, author and newspaper man, now living in Washington, D. C. She died in 1889, leaving two infant children, the eldest, Mrs. Julia Jackson Christian Preston, wife of Randolph Preston, an attorney, lives in Charlotte, N. C., and has five children; the youngest, a boy 18 months old, bears the name of his great-grandfather. Mrs. Christian's son, Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, is a major in the United States Army, now stationed (1928) at the University of Chicago. He married Miss Bertha Cook and has two children, a boy, Thomas Jonathan Jackson Christian, Jr., aged 11, and a girl, Margaret, aged 7.
General Jackson left surviving him an only sister, Laura, the wife of Mr. Jonathan Arnold, of Beverley, W. Va. This sister survived him until the year 1911, when she passed away at the age of 85 years, leaving one son, Hon. Thomas Jackson Arnold, and a number of grandchildren surviving her.
Mrs. Mary Anna Jackson, the widow, lived in Charlotte with her granddaughter until March 24, 1915, when at the age of 83 she passed to her reward. Her Christian faith, great wisdom, and cheerful, courageous disposition marked her as a most unusual woman. Her plan of life was as simple as her husband's, which consisted of finding out each day what she believed to be her duty, through prayer, Bible reading, and meditation, and then doing it uncomplainingly and with as little affectation as possible.
In 1907, when offered a pension by the Legislature of North Carolina, though she greatly needed it, she authorized one of her relatives, then a member of that body, to say that she preferred the money be given to help needy soldiers, or to found a school for wayward boys. At this session there was chartered the Stonewall Jackson Training School, one of the greatest institutions of its kind in America, and certainly the name it bears is an appropriate and inspiring one for the 500 boys enrolled there.
General Jackson's life was representative of the simple virtues for which the South was noted - honesty in thought, speech, and action, freedom from sordid ambition for wealth or notoriety, a high sense of honor and chivalry, unselfish patriotism, and benevolence toward his fellow men. To these traits were added an absolute reliance upon God, and trust in His providence as guarding, guiding, and controlling the daily lives of His servants."
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