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Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was born in Clarkesburg, [West] Virgina. He had 3 siblings. Elizabeth (1819-1826),Warren(1821-1841),and Laura Ann (1826-1911). He was the son of Julia and Jonathan Jackson.
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Jackson's sister Elizabeth (6) and his father both died of typhoid fever.
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His mother, Julia, died when Stonewall was only 7, leaving him an orphan.
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Jackson's brother, Warren, died of tuberclosis in 1841.
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Stonewall entered the United States Military Academy at West Point.
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In 1844, Jackson's sister, Laura, married Johnathan Arnold.
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Jackson graduated as a luitenant in the United States Military and was assigned to the Artillery division in June 1846.
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He joined his first regiment in Mexico, where the United States was then at war. He first met General Robert E Lee in the Mexican War.
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Returns to United States from Mexico and was assigned to a garrison post in Florida.
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Resigns from Military because of conflict with another officer and to pursue a career as a military instructor at Virginia Military Institute. (VMI)
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In the spring of 1851, Jackson was offered and accepted the appointment to teach at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.
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Reported for duty at VMI. He taught natural and experimental philosophy (related to modern day physics).
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Stonewall Jackson resigns from United States Army as a Brevet Major and Permanent 1st Lieutenant.
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Jackson married Elinor Junkin, who was the daughter of Dr. George Junkin (President of Washington College).
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Elinor Junkin died in childbirth. Thier child, a son, was still born.
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Jackson married for the second time. He married Mary Anna Morrison.
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Mary Anna, gave birth do a daughter, Mary Graham. The baby died less than a month later.
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Governor John Letcher ordered Col. Jackson to take command at Harper's Ferry, where he organized the troops that would soon be apart of the famous "Stonewall Brigade".
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In July of 1861, Stonewall was promoted to Brigadier General. Also, it was the Battle of 1st Manassas, where he acquired his legendary nickname "Stonewall".
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Promoted to Major General and was placed in command of the Valley of Virginia.
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This was the Seven Days Battle. Jackson displayed ineffective leadership which stood in contrast to the brilliance of the Shenandoah Valley campaign; the reasons for this uncharacteristic military failure are still wondered about. Then he returned to the Valley.
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Lee organized his army into 2 corps. Stonewall was promoted to Lt. general and given command of the Second Corps. So Jackson was now in charge of half of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
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Jackson's daughter, Julia Laura, was born.
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Jackson was accidentally shot by his own troops, the 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment was responisble for the "Friendly Fire". He was struck by three .57 caliber bullets. He was taken to a hospital near the battlefield where his left arm was amputated.
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Jackson died at 3:15 p.m. His last words were "Let us cross the river and rest under the shade of the trees".
