Before the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson had already accomplished a successful military career. But it wasn’t until the Battle of Bull Run until he got his infamous nickname.

From an early age, Jackson knew he wanted to be a soldier. He graduated from the prestigious US Military Academy at West Point in 1846. He was seventeenth in his class. After graduation, Jackson entered the cavalry and served in various duties in Mexico, Florida and New York. By 1851, Jackson landed a job teaching military tactics at Virginia Military Institute. He retired from the Army in 1852 to (more…)

Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born into humble circumstances and great promise. Working his way through his West Point appointment, Jackson was no great scholar, only a determined and hard working student. Jackson served as an instructor at Virginia Military Institute after service in the Mexican War and when Virginia seceded from the Union commanded Virginia troops. On July 21, 1861, Confederate and Federal troops collided at Manassas Junction,Virginia. Federal forces were pressing their attack successfully, pushing troops under General Bernard Bee were pushed back up Henry House Hill by Federals and the Confederate lines began to (more…)

Stonewall Jackson had a complex military career. Jackson was involved with five separate military organizations. He began his career at the age of 18 when he entered the United States Military Academy. While attending the academy, Jackson quickly climbed the ranks. On July 1, 1846 he graduated the academy with the rank of Brevet Second Lieutenant.

On July 22, 1946, Jackson began his official military career. He was assigned Company K of the 1st U.S. Artillery. However, he did not immediately enter battle. Instead, he was assigned to recruiting (more…)

Thomas Jonathan Jackson was born into humble circumstances. He overcame those impediments by faith, determination, hard work and genius. Applying for an appointment to West Point, Jackson worked hard, night and day to achieve academic competence in fields to which he was a stranger. He became an expert artilleryman and served in the Mexican War. He later served as an instructor at Virginia Military Institute, where his eccentric but somehow impressive leadership abilities began to become evident. In April 1861 the simmering tensions between North and South exploded into outright secession. By July a major confrontation was building (more…)