That legacy, however, does little to recall the eccentric professor and soldier known to those who served alongside him. Feb 20, 2015 what made stonewall jackson such a legend. Stonewall jackson papers vmi archives virginia military. Like a stone wall he served with distinction under winfield scott in the mexican war and from 1851 to 1861 taught at the virginia military institute. Stonewall jackson covers all of the highlights of his life. Don davis has captured the truth about general thomas stonewall jackson.
You and i have distinct and different plans for a movement of the army of the potomac yours to be down the chesapeake, up the rappahannock to urbana, and across land to the terminus of the railroad on the york river. About the jackson papers manuscript 0102 the vmi archives holds a significant collection of the personal papers of civil war general stonewall jackson. Stonewall jackson was born in clarksburg then virginia, west virginia, on january 21, 1824. Sep 14, 2017 animated a quick overview of the military principles of concentration of force and defeat in principle. His favorite hat, two uniforms, items from his classroom and even his war horse, little sorrel can be seen in the museum. He spend pretty much the rest of the book making his point. Lcuszc41760 that jackson was the ablest of general robert e. Also after the mexcian war jackson temperarliy retired and. The military reputations of lees corps commanders are often characterized as stonewall jackson representing the audacious, offensive component of lees army, whereas his counterpart, james longstreet, more typically advocated and executed defensive strategies and tactics. Thomas jonathan stonewall jackson, one of robert e.
List of books and articles about stonewall jackson online. Stonewall jackson papers virginia military institute. The collection also contains a relatively small number of civil war era papers, as well as the papers of mary anna morrison jackson, his second wife, and papers of. The collection also includes limited incoming correspondence.
Thomas jonathan stonewall jackson as january 21, 1824 may 10, 1863 was a confederate general during the american civil war, and probably the most wellknown confederate commander after general robert e. The author defends jacksons innovative military tactics of war and. Lees command of the army of northern virginia he has the brave leader general thomas stonewall jackson and general. Gods and generals is a 2003 american period war drama film written and directed by ronald f. In the american civil war, what were some of the books people. Rommel comes to virginia to study stonewall jackson 1930s. A detailed guide to the jackson papers is located in our online catalog. He died from wounds sustained at the battle of chancellorsville.
With your indulgence, id like to begin shortly after jackson s death by focusing on gettysburg. Ah yes, another aspect of the lost cause mythology beloved of southern revisionists, which took root immediately after the end of the civil war and continues to attract adherents to the present day. But this book demonstrates the military mind of one of americas finest soldiers, general thomas stonewall jackson. Stonewall jackson project gutenberg selfpublishing. A professor at the virginia military institute, he was skillful in creating battlefield strategies that paired well with lees military tactics. Davis exceptional biography of stonewall jackson breathes new life into the civil war legend and his foot cavalry. Gwynnes book rebel yell details the life of the souths most beloved martyr, the confederate general who left a brutal battlefield legacy thats.
This is the best book on stonewall jacksons unique military genius and. His primary military innovation, for that time at least, was rapidity of movement. The battle of chancellorsville, fought from april 30 to may 6, 1863 in virginia, is widely considered to be confederate gen. Bevin alexander clearly tells you where he is going in such troops as these when he dubs stonewall jackson. He published the definitive adult biography of stonewall jackson, stonewall jackson. It is an adaptation of the 1996 novel of the same name by jeffrey shaara and prequel to maxwells 1993 film gettysburg. Some of his battle tactics are still studied today in military schools.
A talk by bevin alexander given at the chambersburg civil war seminars and tours, plaza hotel, hagerstown, md. History american civil war the key battles general thomas stonewall jackson. Thomas stonewall jackson 182463 was a war hero and one of the souths most successful generals during the american civil war 186165. Stonewall jackson thomas jonathan jackson, 182463, confederate general. Acclaimed military historian bevin alexander offers a fresh an. In such troops as these, bevin alexander presents a compelling case for stonewall jackson as a supreme military strategist and the greatest general in american history. The battle of chancellorsville was a monumental fight on many different levels. General biographical studies since its appearance in 1997, james i. It is said that the army of northern virginia never fully recovered from the loss of stonewall s leadership when he was accidentally shot by one of his own men and died in 1863. What was stonewall jackson s greatest weakness as a. The genius and leadership of confederate general stonewall jackson as want to read. A new york newspaper praised jackson as a military genius and declared.
Jackson played a prominent role in nearly all military engagements in the. Thomas jonathan stonewall jackson january 21, 1824 may 10, 1863 served as a confederate general 18611863 during the american civil war, and became one of the bestknown confederate commanders after general robert e. Thomas stonewall jackson was deeply religious, committed to the confederacy and, frankly, kind of a strange guy. Davis deftly reveals the relevance today of the man who created a textbook on tactics by accomplishing so much, so often, with so little. On the intermediate military plane that is called operational, midway between tactics and strategy, jackson sometimes displayed marked skill. Jackson, stonewall the wounding of stonewall jackson at the battle of chancellorsville, may 2, 1863. I found an article from 1901 which compares jackson and bonaparte, and another comparison of the same in the introduction to jacksons memoirs, the body of the text written by mary anna jackson, his widow. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. Stonewall jackson at vmi the vmi museum is a major repository of artifacts relating the life of one of americas revered civil war generals, thomas j. Fierce, secretive, and driven by his fiery christian faith, he put the fear of god into his soldiers and colleagues as well as his union foes. Discover how famous generals such as napoleon, rommel, and stonewall jackson were able. What was one of the tactics of stonewall jackson answers. Jackson suffered a tactical defeat his sole defeat of the war at the first battle of. The passage of years has only deepened the fascination and reverence for confederate general thomas jonathan stonewall jackson.
Military academies in both hemispheres still teach his tactics. This is in no way a quick read at 762 pages of text plus another 125 pages or so of readable notes. Sep 14, 2017 it was said that jackson would always carry 3 books with him, a dictionary, a bible and napoleons military maxims. It was said that jackson would always carry 3 books with him, a dictionary, a bible and napoleons military maxims.
The military genius of stonewall jackson bevin alexander on. Virginia military institute archives stonewall jackson resources beforedeathonmaryland stonewall jackson original letter as lieutenant general, near fredericksburg, 1863 shapell manuscript foundation jackson genealogy site death of stonewall jackson, southern confederacy, may 12, 1863. I highly recommend this book if you are a student of the civil war or a fan of the confederacy and stonewall jackson such as myself. Jun 14, 2011 i saw a recent post where there was a discussion about whether or not erwin rommel came to virginia to study stonewall jackson. Jackson played a prominent role in nearly all military engagements in the eastern theater of the war until his death, and had a key part in winning many. Jackson fought in the mexicanamerican war from 18461848 and received brevets to the rank of major for his actions. Im listening to a great audiobook, wayfaring stranger by james lee burke.
Military historians regard jackson as one of the most gifted tactical. Imboden july 24, 1861 as quoted in john selby stonewall jackson as military commander p. Top 25 quotes by stonewall jackson of 51 az quotes. Lee, stonewall jackson assumed his nickname during the battle of bull run in the civil war. Thomas jonathan stonewall jackson january 21, 1824 may 10, 1863 was a confederate general during the american civil war, and one of the bestknown confederate commanders after general robert e.
Google book search, compare stonewall jackson to napoleon bonaparte. Lees greatest victory during the american civil war. He did not share his battle plans with his unit commanders, and so they were unable to adjust the plans when things went. Jackson resigned from the army in 1851 and accepted a teaching assignment at the virginia military institute, where he was a professor of natural philosophy and an instructor in artillery tactics. He attended west point and fought in the mexican war, was a professor at the virginia military institute when the civil war broke out, and fought as lees most trusted lieutenant until killed by friendly fire in 1863. Lee could give jackson a very general end state order, and jackson was able to interpret it and make the correct. One of the greatest commanders of the american civil war, thomas stonewall jackson was also one of the most difficult to work with. Is it correct to say that these two really were the brilliant military leaders that history and popular culture portrays them as, or has history exaggerated their accomplishments. List of books and articles about stonewall jackson. He graduated from west point in 1846 and began his career in the artillery as a brevet second lieutenant. John selbys book stonewall jackson as military commander is a fine work about the exploits of jackson in the american civil war. This short little book on the military exploits of thomas j. Stonewall jackson s command, the valley district of the department of northern virginia, expanded significantly during the campaign as reinforcements were added, starting with a force of a mere 5,000 effectives and reaching an eventual peak of 17,000 men. Lees generals in the confederate army of northern virginia, was born in clarksburg, virginia now west virginia, on january 21, 1824 orphaned at a young age, jackson spent much of his childhood moving between the homes of various family members.
Former cia director allen dulles once said, truth has a hard time once legends are established to appease our thirst for heroes. A stonewall jackson bookshelf thomas stonewall jackson. A skilled military tactician, he served as a confederate general under. The genius and leadership of confederate general stonewall jackson.
In this book, readers will find precious lessons in strategy, tactics, character and honor traits and skill sets that never disappear. Jacksons valley campaign, also known as the shenandoah valley campaign of 1862, was confederate maj. See our online exhibit of stonewall jackson images. Legacy stonewall jackson is remembered as a military genius. My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. His most serious weakness was that he did not trust his officers, or anybody else for that matter, except his commander, lee.
Stonewall jackson was a west point graduate, veteran of the mexican war 18461848, instructor at the virginia military institute in lexington, and confederate general under robert e. The subject of my talk tonight is the military genius of stonewall jackson. Acclaimed military historian bevin alexander offers a provocative analysis of. I found this post looking for information on his visit because a very dear friend of my family has been telling me stories for several years about history in virginia. Stonewall jackson war history online military history. From his rise to fame at first manassas to his final great victory at chancellorsville, selby looks at the campaigns that defined jackson as a military leader.
If stonewall jackson was not killed at chancellorsville. He is remembered in many ways including the stonewall jackson state park in west virginia and the carving on. This book is another revisionist attack on the reputation of general robert e lee. Today, thomas jonathan jackson is primarily remembered as stonewall a brilliant tactician with an audacious streak that often brought him triumph on the battlefield. Examination of his storied campaigns reveals that jacksons military abilities at a tactical level, especially early in the war, were no more than ordinary. He was a skilled in relentless commander, which led to many victories on the field. Davis highlights stonewall jackson s a general who emphasized the importance of reliable information and early preparedness he so believed in information that he had a personal mapmaker with him at all times and details jackson s many lessons in strategy and leadership. Stonewall jacksons spring 1862 campaign through the. Thomas jonathan stonewall jackson was born january 21, 1824 in clarksburg, virginia. Thomas stonewall jackson, the confederate military tactician whose masterful military tactics won the battles of manassas, fredericksburg, and chancellorsville for the south vs john nicholson, the irish officer of the british east india company. Stonewall jackson thomas jonathan jackson, 182463, confederate general, b. A skilled military tactician, he served as a confederate general under robert e.
With your indulgence, id like to begin shortly after jacksons death by focusing on gettysburg. Fiercely dedicated to the cause of southern independence, jackson would not live to see the end of the war. He is remembered in many ways including the stonewall jackson state park in west virginia and the carving on the side of stone mountain in georgia. Jackson was told that there was only about one regiment of union soldiers in the area, but encountered a full division of 8,500 men, confronting his 3,800.
He ranks today as among the halfdozen greatest soldiers that america has produced. Stonewall jackson went to westpoint and received his primary knowledge of military strategy and tactics from his studies at westpoint. His military career includes the valley campaign of 1862 and his service as a corps commander in the army of northern virginia under robert e. Stonewall jackson 18241863 contributed by william garrett piston. His military career includes the valley campaign of 1862 and his service as a. That book is an incredibly interesting biography of jackson. Revered by his men, respected by his foes, jackson became seemingly invincible. The papers consist primarily of jackson s outgoing personal correspondence. The greatest general of american military history a long history only lost one battle in his career, at kernstown, va, on march 23, 1862. The stonewall jackson papers consist primarily of jackson s outgoing personal correspondence for the years 18441860. This is the best book on stonewall jackson s unique military genius and unmatched leacclaimed military historian bevin alexander offers a fresh and cogent analysis of stonewall jackson s military genius and reveals how the civil war might have ended differently if jackson s strategies had been adopted.