Thomas J. Jackson (1824-1863), better known as Stonewall Jackson, was one of the most famous Confederate generals of the American Civil War (1861-1865). A veteran of the Mexican-American War and a former VMI instructor, he joined the Confederate army in 1861 and rose to prominence in his Shenandoah Valley Campaign (March to June 1862). He became the right-hand man of General Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) and led the Second Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, which included his celebrated 'Stonewall Brigade'. On 2 May 1863, Jackson was wounded by friendly fire during the Battle of Chancellorsville and died of pneumonia eight days later. His loss was greatly lamented across the South.
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Timeline
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21 Jan 1824Thomas Jonathan Jackson is born in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia).
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Jun 1846T. J. Jackson graduates 17th in his West Point class of 59, is commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the 1st US Artillery Regiment.
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1851Thomas J. Jackson begins teaching at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
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21 Jul 1861Jackson plays a major role in the Battle of First Manassas, earns his famous sobriquet 'Stonewall'.
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Mar 1862 - Jun 1862Stonewall Jackson wages his famous Shenandoah Valley Campaign; his troops march 646 miles in 48 days, winning several battles against much larger Union armies.
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28 Aug 1862Stonewall Jackson lures Union Gen. John Pope to Manassas Junction, beginning the Battle of Second Manassas.
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11 Dec 1862 - 15 Dec 1862Stonewall Jackson's corps holds the right flank of the Confederate line at the Battle of Fredericksburg.
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2 May 1863Stonewall Jackson leads a brilliant flanking maneuver at the Battle of Chancellorsville but is wounded by friendly fire in the evening.
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2 May 1863General Stonewall Jackson is wounded in the left arm and hand by friendly fire from his own troops during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia. The left arm needed to be amputated and Jackson died of pneumonia on 10 May.
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10 May 1863Stonewall Jackson dies of pneumonia after the amputation of his arm, at the age of 39.
