Prior to his service in the War, Jackson, like many other Civil War officers, had served in the Mexican War. Afterwards, he took a teaching position at the Virginia Military Institute.In spite of a lackluster career and unknown reputation prior to the War, Jackson became a legend as a result of the Great Conflict. Jackson was a serious commander who expected the best of his men. Unlike in the camps of some of Lee’s other commanders, Jackson’s camps had fewer parties. Jackson himself never drank for fear that he would like it too much. He was very strictly religious, and was so fond of lemons that he would eat them on the field. The relationship between Lee and Jackson is well know. Of Jackson, Lee said, “I have but to show him my design and I know that it can be done, it will be done...” Of Lee, Jackson said “So great is my confidence in General Lee that I am willing to follow him blindfolded.” One of the great tragedies of the War for the Confederacy came after one of the great Stonewall’s most daring victories. After a successful flank attack with a divided army against a numerically superior Union force at Chancellorsville, Jackson, along with several aides were out examinging the situation of the field. Jackson had been considering a very rare act for the day: a night-time attack. Unfortunately, Jackson was shot by one of his own men. A pickett shot the great leader after Jackson did not identify himself quickly enough. The loss was one of the greatest the Confederacy could have suffered, and some historians even attribute the Confederate loss at Gettysburg and of the War to his untimely death.
BACK TO MY AMERICAN CIVIL WAR PAGE