February 10, 2006
Stonewall Jackson
1824 January 21
Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born at Clarksburg, [West] Virginia.
Parents: Jonathan Jackson (1790-1826) an attorney, and Julia Beckwith Neale (1798-1831).
1842 June-1846 June
Jackson attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. Jackson was not the first choice for his congressional district's appointment, but the top applicant withdrew from the academy after only one day. Jackson graduated in June 1846, standing 17th out of 59 graduates. Jackson began his U.S. Army career as a 2nd Lt., First Artillery Regiment.
1846-1851
United States Army officer. Served in the Mexican War, 1846-1848; stationed at Carlisle Barracks, PA; Ft. Hamilton, NY; Ft. Meade, FL.
In the spring of 1851 Jackson was offered and accepted the appointment to teach at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia; he resigned from the army.
Reported for duty at VMI on August 13, 1851. He taught natural and experimental philosophy (related to modern day physics and including physics, astronomy, acoustics, optics, and other scientific courses). During his time at VMI, Jackson gained a reputation as a godly man who was unwavering in his beliefs and uncompromising in the classroom.
During the summer of 1856 Jackson toured Europe, visiting Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, England and Scotland.
July 1861 - Promoted to Brigadier General. Battle of 1st Manassas, where he acquired the legendary nickname Stonewall. "Look, there stands Jackson like a stone wall."
1863 May 2, 9:00 p.m. - While reconnoitering with members of his staff, Jackson was accidentally fired upon by his own troops. The 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was responsible for the "friendly fire" incident. Jackson was struck by three .57 caliber bullets. He was taken to a field hospital near the battlefield, where his left arm was amputated. After receiving the news of his fallen friend, General Robert E. Lee was purported to have said, "He has lost his left arm, but I have lost my right."
1863 May 10 - Jackson died at 3:15 p.m. His last words were "Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees."
extracted from:
http://new.vmi.edu/archives/jackson/jackson.html
Posted by o-man at February 10, 2006 08:14 PM | TrackBackThere is a small grouping of old trees just north of the plank road, that I would swear is haunted.Chancellorsville battlefield has been well preserved, thought developers circle it like the carrion they are.The chancellor house is just a foundation, but most of gen.hookers not and field comments have been preserved. Thanks for the post.
best regards
I was born in Lexington, VA in Stonewall Jackson hospital. We lived there until I was seven. Our church had a ministry with VMI cadets, and I remember going to a few basketball games and football games when I was little. It is a beautiful place and I look forward to returning there someday.
Posted by: mrscrumley at February 10, 2006 10:09 PMThanks for your comments, Glen and Mrs. Crumley. I posted this for the benefit of a select few who are not familiar with the man of God who was Stonewall Jackson. And he has such a catchy nickname; you have to love the man. I feel somehow that I carry a touch of the Stonewall heritage in my genetic code, in one way or another.
Posted by: o-man at February 12, 2006 08:10 PMI was raised till I turned 16 in Fredricksburg,VA. My formative years were spent roaming the various battlefields and history of the civil war. I spent many days reading(and some daydreaming) with general hooker's field notes in and around Fredricksburg. Chancellorsville,Fredricksburg,Mannassas, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania are home grounds.My parents still live there. If you stand for very long in the quiet around Mayre's Hill or deep Run creek, I would about swear you can hear the battles. That same cold chill is felt up from Chancellors' house beside the old plank road.
Oh well,
best regards