Stonewall Jackson (LOC - LC-DIG-ds-00288)
General Thomas J. Jackson writes his wife about the First Battle of Bull Run, where Jackson earned the “Stonewall” nickname:
Manassas, July 22d.
My Precious Pet, — Yesterday we fought a great battle and gained a great victory, for which all the glory is due to God alone. Although under a heavy fire for several continuous hours, I received only one wound, the breaking of the longest finger of my left hand; but the doctor says the finger can be saved. It was broken about midway between the hand and knuckle, the ball passing on the side next the forefinger. Had it struck the centre, I should have lost the finger. My horse was wounded, but not killed. Your coat got an ugly wound near the hip, but my servant, who is very handy, has so far repaired it that it doesn’t show very much. My preservation was entirely due, as was the glorious victory, to our God, to whom be all the honor, praise, and glory. The battle was the hardest that I have ever been in, but not near so hot in its fire. I commanded in the centre more particularly, though one of my regiments extended to the right for some distance. There were other commanders on my right and left. Whilst great credit is due to other parts of our gallant army, God made my brigade more instrumental than any other in repulsing the main attack. This is for your information only— say nothing about it. Let others speak praise, not myself.
From Life and letters of General Thomas J. Jackson by Mary Anna Jackson. I first saw this letter in The Civil War Archive (ed. by Commager and Bruun, Black Dog & Leventhal, New York 2000).
The Stonewall Jackson article at Wikipedia attributes this quote to Jackson which backs up his faith and courage shown in this letter:
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.
I like this line further on in Mrs. Jackson’s book: “August 5th. And so you think the papers ought to say more about your husband! My brigade is not a brigade of newspaper correspondents.”
The map below is licensed by Creative Commons
Walling off the Federals at Henry Hill 1-3PM (map by Hal Jespersen)
Plaque attached to tree "Here Jackson was wounded and got the title of Stone Wall, July 21, 1861" (1910 photo LOC - LC-USZ62-116988)
