General Jackson
Born in Clarksburg Virginia, (now West Virginia), his father died when he was two and he was sent to live with relatives. He did not find much familial love, likely helping to form his taciturn nature and self-reliance. In 1842, when he was 18, Jackson became constable briefly and waited for an appointment to West Point. He did not originally gain the appointment, but the previous recipient dropped his place and Jackson eagerly took the opportunity for an education he otherwise could not afford. He struggled at the point and chose to study rather than participate in social events, helping him rise to 17th in his class, graduating in 1846. He went to Mexico as a 2nd Lieutenant in artillery and was brevetted twice during the war. He then went to Florida and had difficulty cooperating with his superior officer, each making charges against each other, but Jackson resigning before their conclusion to teach at the Virginia Military Institute. He taught in a very dry monotone way, reciting memorized lessons to the students. He was also a strict disciplinarian, sucked on lemons, and practically always held his left arm aloft, earning him the name “Tom Fool Jackson” among his students. He was also a very honest individual and a devout follower of Calvinistic beliefs. He attributed all achievements to God and was fearless in battle, believing that when God chose for him to die, no effort of his would save him, but he would not die before then. In 1855, he began teaching Sunday school lessons to slaves, violating the Virginia segregation laws, and after his death was awarded a memorial in an African American church. He did not drink or swear, and at the beginning of the war when taking Harpers Ferry, ordered all the whiskey thrown into the street. He brought in associates and students of VMI to help train his men, instituting seven hours of drill a day, and succeeded in creating the Virginia First Brigade, the Stonewall Brigade, as they would be later called. He was christened Stonewall at First Manassas, and proved invaluable to the south throughout his career, his men being called foot cavalry in his Shenandoah Valley campaign and were almost always dependable. He was promoted to major general in November. He played a large part at Second Manassas, and Antietam, being promoted to lieutenant general before Fredericksburg, taking command of the 2nd Corps. He was strict on his troops, at one point having nearly all of his brigadier generals under arrest, and even his brother-in-law fell victim. He expected blind obedience but did not reveal his objectives to subordinates. His last battle was Chancellorsville, but it was his finest victory as well. He succeeded in maneuvering most of the army (dangerously risking it) in the face of the enemy and succeeded in producing a chain rout beginning on the Union right flank. In the evening, wishing to keep pressing the enemy, was ahead of his lines, and heading back, came under fire of the advance units, believing them to be federal cavalry. He was wounded twice in the arm, and while not mortal wounds, he succumbed soon after to pneumonia. He died one of the most revered men of the Confederacy.
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