OT- Stonewall Jackson

[evolver115]

Thought this was worth it's own thread.

150 years ago today, the Army of Northern Virginia was dealt a fatal blow when their most brilliant Corp commander, Thomas " Stonewall" Jackson, was inexplicably wounded by his own men at what would later be called the Battle of Chancellorsville. He would later die of his wounds that he received on this day, 150 years ago.

This single event is sometimes credited as the beginning of the end for the Confederacy. Jackson was later argued to be the most gifted tactical Corp commander from either side of the entire American Civil War. He was a graduate of West Point and VMI, and is still considered to be one of the most beloved and gifted military commanders this country has ever produced.

General Robert E. Lee, overall commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, would later write to Jackson upon hearing about his wounds, "Could I have directed events, I would have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your stead."

This is probably one of the most tragically important events in US history. The course of the war in the north was forever altered. Up until this point, the South had won victory after victory. But after this point they would suffer strategic defeat after defeat, until the end of the war in 1865.

 

[evolver115]

The time for war has not yet come, but it will come, and that soon; and when it does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard.

[My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. ... That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.

-T.J. Jackson

 

[mattola]

 

[evolver115]

Nice

 

[IPostedWhat]

Little unknown fact about Jackson.

During the Civil War, he was very strict about what his soldiers could do. If he was in a town, he would impose a curfew, limit how much each solider could drink, and didn't allow any soldier to have sex.

The Soldiers refered to these rules as being "Stonewalled". Over time this has now changed to being know as cock-blocked.

True Story.

 

[Vadered]

Great general, shame he fought for the wrong side.

Just goes to show how especially shitty civil war is.

 

[evolver115]

Not just civil war, all war is terrible. It's incredible the effect it has on the course of human history.

If Jackson had not died in May of 1863, there is a strong possibility he would have been in tactical command at the battle of Gettysburg, two months later.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

Great general, shame he fought for the wrong side.

Just goes to show how especially shitty civil war is.

"War is hell." - Sherman

A short, stupid, obvious statement on the surface of it, but underneath...

 

[pixburgher66]

It's really unfortunate that because of the obvious circumstances so much respect is lost for those in the South, even though the South DEFINITELY had the better of the commanders. South also had a lot more pride than the North in general...

 

[IPostedWhat]

I get the feeling people think I'm making up my story about Stonewall.

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

I get the feeling people think I'm making up my story about Stonewall.

 

[evolver115]

I get the feeling people think I'm making up my story about Stonewall.

I had not heard that one, before.

I knew he got the nickname Stonewall for what he had done at the first Battle of Bull Run, when his men rushed forward an artillery battery that reinforced a group of retreating Confederate troops.

A wounded southern General called out to his soldiers and pointed to Jackson at the battery, saying that he was standing there like a stone wall. The men rallied, and later crushed the northern flank, which won the battle.

 

[IPostedWhat]

I had not heard that one, before.

I knew he got the nickname Stonewall for what he had done at the first Battle of Bull Run, when his men rushed forward an artillery battery that reinforced a group of retreating Confederate troops.

A wounded southern General called out to his soldiers and pointed to Jackson at the battery, saying that he was standing there like a stone wall. The men rallied, and later crushed the northern flank, which won the battle.

See, that story sounds TOO good to be true. Definitely made up for sure.

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

I too am a war buff. Stonewall & Lee didn't fight for the "South", they fought for Virginia. Brave men on both sides.... Love going to the battlefields early in the morning & see the ghosts in the mist. I've been to VMI a couple of times & Stonewalls grave/tomb is awesome.

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

 

[evolver115]

I too am a war buff. Stonewall & Lee didn't fight for the "South", they fought for Virginia. Brave men on both sides.... Love going to the battlefields early in the morning & see the ghosts in the mist. I've been to VMI a couple of times & Stonewalls grave/tomb is awesome.

Right! They would both probably agree with you

 

[Dacks]

I actually pretty impressed that in the end, a lot of respect is given to the leaders and commanders of the "South", even though they are generally considered as, at least morally, the "bad guys" in the war. I mean, it's not like you hear a lot of praise for really nice WWII Nazi commanders. (Not the same, but I think you get my gist.)

 

[Comeds]

He was an underrated president too.

 

[DevilishWon]

It's really unfortunate that because of the obvious circumstances so much respect is lost for those in the South, even though the South DEFINITELY had the better of the commanders. South also had a lot more pride than the North in general...

I think the pride comment is misplaced. The vast bulk of soldiers in the south were poor whites who were led by fear and conditioning to back a tiny minority of rich slave holding landowners in a horribly ill fated costly bid to save their oppresive system. A large (although not majority) piece of northern troops were recent immigrants who were serving their new homes serving along side a combination of committed abolishionists and unionists. of course there were pleanty of unhappy draftees on both sides.

I believe the southern "pride" is largely a function of post war southern revisionist /romanticsist BS...ala gone with the wind....IMO

 

[pixburgher66]

I think the pride comment is misplaced. The vast bulk of soldiers in the south were poor whites who were led by fear and conditioning to back a tiny minority of rich slave holding landowners in a horribly ill fated costly bid to save their oppresive system. A large (although not majority) piece of northern troops were recent immigrants who were serving their new homes serving along side a combination of committed abolishionists and unionists. of course there were pleanty of unhappy draftees on both sides.

I believe the southern "pride" is largely a function of post war southern revisionist /romanticsist BS...ala gone with the wind....IMO

I dunno about that. I agree that the Southern pride as a whole is maybe overblown, but STATE pride was the biggest reason a lot of these guys fought, and honestly State's rights were the biggest reason that the war occurred. Very interesting to study and see the gradual take over by the federal government, and that was the beginning. South felt threatened, war ensued. Obviously at the core of that was slavery and taking that away from state's rights to decide. I LOVE learning about the Civil War...just awesome.