Stonewall Jackson

May 2, 1863. Confederate pickets accidentally shot General Jonathan Thomas Jackson, better known as "Stonewall" Jackson, at the Battle of Chancellorsville. The General survived but lost an arm to amputation. He died of complications from pneumonia eight days later on May, 10, 1863.

Stonewall was known as a tactician on the battlefield. He was one of the greatest commanders in our military's history. Today on the anniversary of his passing we salute General Jonathan Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Here's a little more about Stonewall's military career, courtesy of The Civil War Trust.

According to The Civil War Trust (source below):

"At the war’s outbreak, Jackson accepted orders as a Colonel of Virginia militia and commanded at Harper’s Ferry. Jackson then took on the title of Brigadier general and led troops in the epic battle of First Manassas, where he and his brigade earned him the title “Stonewall.” So began Jackson’s status as a military celebrity.

In November of 1861 he was promoted to major general and dispatched to the Shenandoah Valley to defend the south from Federal troops headed towards Richmond.

Jackson organized extremely successful military maneuvers at Front Royal, Winchester, Cross Keys, and Port Republic in the spring of 1862. These led up to the Seven Days Battle around Richmond, where Jackson’s nonplussed performance on the outset gradually gained momentum. He made more epic showings at Second Manassas and then again in Sharpsburg at the Battle of Antietam. Following these events the Army of Northern Virginia was reorganized and Jackson was designated lieutenant general.

In December of 1862, Jackson commanded a victory at Fredericksburg, and then the famous flank march at Chancellorsville in May. The same night as that victory, May 2, 1863, Jackson was wounded by friendly fire while making a reconnaissance with a member of his staff. "

(source:http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/thomas-jackson.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwjca5BRCAyaPGi6_h8m8SJADryPLheGf2bqg96lPG1TpQdOVj320BaWnTHUDjH4zH8iXWJhoClGfw_wcB)

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