TOPIC: "There Stands Jackson Like A Stone Wall"

Colonel Thomas J. Jackson retired from the army (at 27 years of age) to become an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute.  He was appointed a Brigadier General just before the Civil War, and was present at the execution of John Brown. He later became General Lee's favorite and most trusted lieutenant.

His motto which he adopted in his youth was, "You may be what you resolve to be."

He is seen here on his favorite horse, Little Sorrel.  A horse named "Fancy" was given to him as a gift, and because of its sorrel, or chestnut, color, and small size (only 15 hands) he named it Little Sorrel.

The horse had such a gentle gait and stride that he could sleep while riding it during long rides.

General Jackson gained his second nickname of "Stonewall" during the first battle of Bull Run.  Prior to that battle he had been known as "Old Blue Light" because of his eyes.  This battle defined his leadership style as a general of "mystify, mislead and surprise."

Retreating from the hill in the far distance (you can see the cleared area) he took his brigade to a crest beyond the Henry House.  An outbuilding of the Henry House can be seen on the left.  There he, and his Virginia Volunteers, stood, clearly exposed to cannon and musket fire, just about the point of this monument.  He stayed there.

It appears this act inspired General Barnard Bee of South Carolina.  There are many versions of what General Bee is said to exclaim.  From their position in the trees in the distance behind General Jackson, Bee is said to have yelled,

"Form!  Form!  There stands Jackson like a stone wall!  Rally round the Virginians!"

It is unknown if he meant that as a criticism or compliment, but he did move toward Jackson, along with his men.  Taking position with the Virginians Bee was shot and died a day or so later.  He never did get to explain what he meant.

This marker is on the spot where he was shot, just feet from the Jackson Monument above.

Jackson himself would only survive two more years.  Shot by friendly fire, his left arm had to be amputated.

Later, sending him a note, Lee said, "You have lost your left.  I have lost my right arm."

Jackson died about a week later, apparently from pneumonia.

His final words were,

"It is the Lord's Day; my wish is fulfilled. I have always desired to die on Sunday.  Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of yonder trees."

He was only 39 years old.

He is buried in two places.  His left arm at the small family cemetery on the Elwood Plantation in Orange County Va, about a mile from where it was amputated.  His body is buried in a cemetery in Lexington VA.

Great Post Jay,

I am a big Civil War buff.  Did you know his widow attended my church here in Charlotte NC for the reat of her life.  First Presbyterian Chaurch in downtown Charlotte. The have a brass plate marking where she sat every Sunday.  Also I am not sure of the exact relationship but his nephew or cousin or something who was also a decorated Civil War officer became president of Davidson College right outside of Charlotte. Keep those type of posts coming.

Preston Sandlin
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A couple of days ago, the 183rd birthday of Stonewall Jackson came and went. Some folks are aware that the General’s second wife, Mary Anna Morrison, was born in North Carolina in 1831. She met Jackson in Virginia, not long before the war began, and they were married. Once the war began, she returned to Charlotte and continued to make the Queen city her home after his death.

After the war, Mrs. Stonewall Jackson was a very prominent member of the community that sought to commemorate the war. In 1898, Mrs. Jackson organized and became the first president of Stonewall Jackson Chapter #220 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy in Charlotte. She was elected president for life. As her health permitted, she was always at Confederate Veteran reunions, and the old soldiers always enjoyed seeing her, the wife of their beloved commander.

Mrs. Jackson died in 1915 and is buried beside her husband in Lexington, Virginia. In 1938, the U. D. C. marked the birthplace of Mrs. Stonewall Jackson on Derita Road in Charlotte with a large memorial arch and a bronze plaque. I have an old photograph of the arch, but have been unable to find out if it still exists. I do not wander the streets of Charlotte very often.


Daniel Harvey Hill was born in South Carolina in 1821. He served in the Mexican War where he won two brevets. Hill resigned from the army in 1849 and obtained work teaching mathematics at Washington College in Lexington, Virginia.

The brother-in-law of Thomas Stonewall Jackson, Hill became superintendent of North Carolina Military Institute, in 1859. On the outbreak of the American Civil War he joined the Confederate Army. Appointed as a major general in July, 1862, Hill was given the task of negotiating the exchange of prisoners with General John A. Dix of the Union Army. They decided that the rate of exchange was one general for every 60 enlisted men, a colonel for 15, a lieutenant for 4 and a sergeant for 2.

Hill fought at Antietam (September, 1862) before being sent to defend Richmond during the Gettysburg Campaign. After being sent to aid General Braxton Bragg at Chickamauga (September, 1863), Hill recommended his dismissal for incompetence. However, President Jefferson Davis rejected the idea and instead relieved Hill of his command.

Hill returned to action when he joined General Joseph Johnston, commander of Confederate forces along the Mississippi in 1863. Johnson was unable to stop William Sherman taking Atlanta and Hill was with Johnson surrendered to Sherman at Durham Station on 26th April, 1865.

After the war Hill was president of the University of Arkansas (1877-84) and the Georgia Military Academy (1885-89). Daniel Harvey Hill died in 1889.

Thanks Preston!  There are 5 or 6 other Civil War posts on this site.  They are also on my website.

That's some good stuff about the Jackson family!  My wife and I stayed at a B&B once in Virginia, near Lexington, and slept in the Stonewall Jackson room.  The B&B said that the General and his wife had stayed in that same room, and in the same bed!  So, I guess that is my Stonewall Jackson claim to fame.

A thank you to you two!