The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson

Early Life and Education

Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born on January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). His father, Jonathan Jackson, was a lawyer and politician, and his mother, Elizabeth Cummins Jackson, was a devout Presbyterian. Jackson had a difficult childhood, marked by poverty and the loss of his father at a young age. He was raised by his mother and his uncle, who instilled in him a strong sense of discipline and self-reliance.

Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson

by S. C. Gwynne

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Jackson attended West Point Military Academy, where he graduated in 1846, standing 17th in his class. He served with distinction in the Mexican-American War, earning the brevet rank of major for his gallantry at the Battle of Buena Vista.

The American Civil War

When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, Jackson resigned his commission in the U.S. Army and joined the Confederate States Army. He was appointed a brigadier general and given command of a brigade in the Shenandoah Valley. Jackson's brigade quickly gained a reputation for its aggressive tactics and its ability to outmaneuver the Union forces.

Jackson played a key role in several important battles of the Civil War, including the First Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, and the Battle of Chancellorsville. He was known for his ability to inspire his troops and for his innovative military strategies. Jackson's most famous victory came at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863, where he led his troops to victory over a much larger Union force. However, Jackson was mortally wounded during the battle and died eight days later.

Personal Life and Religious Beliefs

Jackson was a devout Christian and a strict disciplinarian. He was known for his austere lifestyle and his habit of sleeping on the ground with a rock for a pillow. Jackson was also a devoted husband and father. He married Mary Anna Morrison in 1853, and they had three children together.

Jackson's religious beliefs played a significant role in his life and his military career. He believed that God was on the side of the Confederacy and that he was fighting for a just cause. Jackson's faith gave him strength and courage, and it helped him to endure the hardships of war.

Legacy

Stonewall Jackson is one of the most controversial figures in American history. He was a brilliant military commander who won some of the most important battles of the Civil War. However, he was also a slaveholder and a secessionist who fought to preserve the institution of slavery. Jackson's legacy is still debated today, and he remains a complex and enigmatic figure.

There are many memorials to Stonewall Jackson in the United States, including the Stonewall Jackson Memorial in Lexington, Virginia, and the Stonewall Jackson Shrine in Winchester, Virginia. Jackson's image has also been used on postage stamps, coins, and other memorabilia.

Stonewall Jackson was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a brilliant military commander who won some of the most important battles of the Civil War. However, he was also a slaveholder and a secessionist who fought to preserve the institution of slavery. Jackson's legacy is still debated today, and he remains a complex and enigmatic figure.