General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson
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The reputation of General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson exceeded that of almost any man on either side in the American Civil War. His opponents held him in awe, and, at his early death, the Confederacy believed it had suffered one of the worst blows of the war. His death provoked a wave of emotion in Europe, marking the size of his reputation, and, in general, his popularity placed him the head of the Pantheon of heroic figures emerging from the long, bloody war. But, the most interesting aspect of Jackson's great fame was that it was based almost entirely on his extraordinary strategic and leadership skills. Unlike many other popular heroes of the war, Jackson was not young, dashing, or handsome. "According to notions of the day, he hardly looked like a soldier," and Jackson's behavior and beliefs, were precisely the opposite of those in the popular picture of heroism. In the "Stonewall" legend, it was steadfastness, commitment, and unmoving determination that formed the heroic core. His contemporary legend may have exaggerated whatever superficially heroic traits he may have possessed. But, the legend was based on the genuine devotion of his men, and the deep appreciation of his peers and leaders for his military genius. Those who read of his exploits may have formed a somewhat different picture of him. But, to those who knew him, this "little old drid [dried] up looking man," with many strange nicknames, was also the man of whom Robert E. Lee said, "If I had
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ope for Jackson to display his finest military qualities.
At Manassas, Jackson, who was still a brigade commander, marched his men toward the fighting immediately, without waiting for orders, as did General Bee and Colonel Francis Bartow. Without their quick action, and Jackson's legendary resolve, the Confederacy would not have scored this first, vital victory. But Jackson's strategic vision also proved to exceed that of Jefferson Davis, and generals Joseph Johnston and Pierre Beauregard. While the Confederacy's military leadership debated what step to take next, Jackson had assumed that the army would immediately press on to Washington. Jackson put his brigade on full alert, "impatiently awaiting the order to advance." President Davis, who believed himself to be a masterful strategist, did not believe advance was useful. Johnston and Beauregard failed to advocate it, and it was only Jackson who put the proposal forward--four times. The Union general, George B. McClellan said, after the war, that this was the South's worst military error of the whole war, as "a determined attack would doubtless have . . . placed the city at the mercy of a battery of rifled guns." From the beginning of the war, Jackson's "brilliant str
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Approximate Word count = 2933
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)
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