Thomas Jonathon Jackson was born on January 21st, 1824. He was orphaned at the age of seven and went to live with his uncle Cummins Jackson at Jackson's Mill Virginia. Cummins was never a father figure to young Tom, but was more looked at by Tom as a big-brother. Cummins never really wanted to be more than that, he only had time for his two loves, money and Jackson's Mill. Jackson's Mill at the time was a thriving saw and grain mill, the grounds also included a general store.

"Uncle" as Tom must have called Cummins treated his young ward as much older than he was, for he rarely had time for the carefree days of youth. His favorite pastime there was to cross the West Fork River, with his sister, in a raft that he had constructed and sit amongst the trees and contemplate.

While his uncle was not a religious man Tom developed an interest in religion and began attending church serves near there. As the years progressed he became deeply religious and later in life carried a Bible with him at all times.

Possibilities for higher education were not available in the local area of Jackson's Mill, and after several petitions he was granted an entrance into Westpoint Military Academy. While at first his lack of a formal education kept him at the bottom of his class, his self determination over those four years eventually paid off and he graduated near the top of his class. Since he was much older than most of the other students at Westpoint he gathered the nickname of "Old Jack", which stuck to him for many years.

After graduation he became a quartermaster for the First Artillery's Company K, under the command of Captain Taylor. The American-Mexican War had just begun, and Jackson was looking forward to glory of war and a chance to become a hero. The then Brevet 2nd Lieutenant did just that. He returned from Mexico as a Brevet Major. A rank that he held until he withdrew from the army in 1849 after having a "falling out" with his commander Captain and Brevet Major William H. French.

Jackson then spent the next ten years as the Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Artillery Tactics at the Virginia Military Institute. He was not a good teacher, but garnered the respect of all that either studied under him or that taught with him. While there, Jackson began teaching a Sunday School class for the black slaves in the area. It was very popular with the black community, but not without controversy with the whites. Jackson's Sunday afternoon class had as many as 100 students in it. He would read from the Bible and lead prayer sessions.

The name Stonewall came early in the Civil War at the first Battle of Manassas. After making a flanking move to the left end of the Confederate line his brigade defended the line against the weight of the Federal Army's attack. It was General Bernard Bee, while trying to pick up the pieces of his broken command rally and reorganize a defensive line to the left of Jackson, who said, "Look men, there is Jackson standing like a stone wall!"

Jackson had many victories in the Shenandoah Valley in the following year. He had trained his men to march farther and faster than any command on either side of the war and his troops became known as foot cavalry. His tactics were surprise and maneuver due to his ability to move his army as rapidly as he could. Although there were a few losses that can only be attributed to his aggressiveness, and not waiting until his army was in the most favorable position and organization.

Stonewall Jackson - The Man, The Soldier, The Legend by James I. Robertson Jr. was to me a compelling book (although the length of time it took me to read it may have you wondering about that). It gives a clear insight into the mind of one of the greatest generals this country ever produced. He was a man dedicated to duty, not just to his military duty but his religious duties as well. Jackson was a kind and gentle husband with a great love of children, of which only one survived him, he died while she was still an infant. While he may have had true medical problems he was certainly by our standards today a hypochondriac. Although at first misunderstood by his subordinates, peers and superiors, he would become regarded by them as a great man. For that is what he was.

What did I take away from this book? I admire and respect the man, I like to think of him as my friend. His devotion to duty both to his country and his God, his perseverance in the task at hand, even when there were forces that wanted to tear them apart, are admirable. Perhaps his strengths are things that I see lacking in myself and maybe the something that I've taken away from this book and will be thinking about for many years to come.

During the battle of Chancellorsville, May 2nd, 1863, Jackson and his staff were mistaken as enemy cavalry and fired upon by the 18th North Carolina Regiment. The general died at 3:15pm on May 10th, 1863 from complications of his wounds. His final words were, "Let us cross the river together and rest beneath the trees."