Lt. Gen. Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson 1824-1863
Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson is best known for his leadership of Confederate troops during the American Civil War, and especially for his celebrated Valley Campaign of 1862.
Thomas Jackson was a country boy from (West) Virginia who became a graduate of the United States Military Academy and a hero of the Mexican War. In 1851 Major Jackson came to Lexington to teach Natural Philosophy at the Virginia Military Institute. Jackson left Lexington in April 1861, at the outbreak of war, and never returned alive.
General Jackson’s leadership earned him the admiration of his troops and lasting fame. He was fatally wounded on May 2, 1863, after he collaborated with General Robert E. Lee to achieve victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson’s body was brought back to Lexington for burial.
“Any victory is dearly bought that deprives us of the services of Jackson even temporarily.”
General Robert E. Lee, May 1863
Courtesy hmdb.org
