JACKSON, THOMAS JONATHAN
\d͡ʒˈaksən], \dʒˈaksən], \dʒ_ˈa_k_s_ə_n]\
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(1824-1863), a native of Virginia, was graduated at West Point in 1846, in time to see service in the Mexican War. He taught in the Virginia Military Institute, and was, like so many other West Pointers, lifted by the Rebellion from obscurity. Having sided with the Confederacy he was intrusted with a brigade, whose firm stand at the first battle of Bull Run led to its commander's epithet, "Stonewall Jackson." His military fame was well grounded by the extraordinary' rapidity of his movements in the Shenandoah campaign of 1862, where he outgeneraled the Federals Fremont, Banks and others, gained the battles of Front Royal, May 23, Winchester, May 25, Cross Keys, June 8, and Port Republic, June 9. Hastily joining Lee before Richmond, he decided the victory at Gaines' Mills, June 27. On August 9 he defeated the Federals at Cedar Creek. His bold march ended in the victory over Pope at the second battle of Bull Run. In the invasion he seized Harper's Ferry September 15, and commanded the left wing at Antietam. At Fredericksburg he led the right wing of Lee's army, and at Chancellorsville May 2, 1863, his flanking movement around Hooker's right resulted in success. But " Stonewall " Jackson was by mistake shot by his own men in this battle and died a few days later.
By John Franklin Jameson