Origins of the Name “Stonewall” Jackson
Monument suggesting strength of Stonewall Jackson
©Bert Gildart: Just outside the Visitor Center of Manassas National Battlefield stands a prominent monument of Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson. Cannons backdrop the statue of the well muscled man and his horse while to the front you’ll see an old farm and several grave markers.
These are artifacts of the first major battle of the Civil War, but they are also features that contributed to the legend and lore of one of the Confederate’s most colorful generals, “Stonewall” Jackson.
All the features drew our attention, but before the morning was over, Janie and I both wanted to know how a man who had once taught at the Virginia Military Institute would come to be known as “Stonewall.” Many VMI students hated the man, and several had threatened to kill him. But how quickly war can change perspectives .
Initially, there was little prospect the battle of 1861 would provide any kind of celebratory status, at least for the South. Most believed the Confederates would turn tail when confronted with Union strength.
So convinced were residents of Washington D.C. that the battle would be a rout of the Southerners, some had gathered for picnics.
It wasn’t long, however, until several discovered how wrong they were, one congressman in particular. And it almost cost him his life.
CONGRESSMAN ALMOST KILLED
Growing tired of watching from several miles away near Centreville, Congressman Alfred Ely ventured closer when he was stopped and then threatened by Colonel E.C. Cash of South Carolina. Pointing his pistol at Ely’s head he shouted, “God damn your white livered soul! I’ll blow your brains out on the spot.”
Only the intervention of the colonel’s men saved the congressman, who nevertheless spent six months as a prisoner of war in Richmond.
Cannon and Stonewall Jackson; part of a 13 cannon complement back dropping Stonewall Jackson
The point, of course, is that the gathering of thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers was no picnic; rather it resulted in a brutal battle, one that included some the war’s principle players. Present on the Confederate side were generals Beauregard, Johnson, Jubal Early and, of course, Jackson. On the Union side were generals Daniel Tyler, Ambrose Burnside and William T. Sherman, among others.
HORRORS OF WAR
As Janie and I walked the grounds we could see the hills from which the fighting had begun, and the interpretive signs along the way detailed the carnage.
“… sharp shooter bullets thumped into the wooden limber chests. On the rear slopes horses were screaming, dying.”
Approaching the old Henry House we could see across to Mathews Hill and envision the shot up Confederate regiments as they stumbled toward woodlands behind the Robinson House, a part of our hike. At this point it appeared as though the Confederates had in fact lost the war — and that initial predictions had been correct.
But suddenly Generals Johnson and Beauregard arrived. The sight of General Joe Johnson, wounded three times in previous wars, gave the Confederates new courage. Confidence was further bolstered a few minutes later when Thomas J. Jackson’s and his fresh Virginia infantry spilled out of the woods. Nearby was General Bernard Bee, trying to rally his men, and the sudden appearance inspired great hope.
A LEGEND BEGINS
“Look,” shouted Bee. “There stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!”
Henry Hill interpretive walk helps explain legacy of Stonewall Jackson and his role in First Battle of Bull Run.
The nickname spread rapidly throughout the Confederate Army and throughout the South. “Stonewall” Jackson was on his way to becoming a legend.
DEATH OF A MAN — BUT NOT THE LEGEND
The fighting continued throughout the day, but late that afternoon a Confederate attack crushed the Union’s right flank and began what in fact became a rout of the entire Union army. Both sides suffered losses and the combined total was about 900. One year and one month later, these opposing forces met again — and again, the South emerged victorious in this second battle of Bull Run (Manassas) — though this time the death rate for both sides neared 3,300.
For several more years the South continued to emerge victorious and did so until the industrial might of the Union at last began to take its toll. Interestingly, the downturn began about 1863, the same year Stonewall Jackson was accidentally wounded at Chancellorsville by one of his own men. Though Jackson subsequently died of his wounds, the legend of Stonewall’s bravery and determination lives on.
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