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 at Manassas Junction in Virginia where the Union sought to press the new Confederacy into submission. In the first hours of battle the Federals were pushing the Confederate militias back and pressing their advantage. General Bernard Bee saw his men broken and retreating up Henry House Hill, right up to the high ground held by Jackson. The “stone wall” moved forward and all Confederate troops followed suit with a Yankee rout resulting.

Jackson’s genius became known to Robert E. Lee. President Davis’ military adviser and Lee picked Jackson as his closest confidant. When Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia he permitted Jackson to operate with only the slightest suggestion of plans, Jackson was secretive, and effective. Lee was never disappointed in Jackson. When the Battle of Chancellorsville resulted in a startling victory over Hooker’s Army of the Potomac, Lee suffered his greatest loss: Jackson. Complications from wounds inflicted by friendly fire drew Jackson to death. His genius could never be replaced by a Longstreet’s tactics or a Hood’s bravery. Jackson’s faith, determination and outright genius made him famous.