Thomas Stonewall Jackson's Significance During The Civil War

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s Significance During the Civil War
Mostar, Alexandrea
Mountain View High School Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was a highly skilled military tactician. He earned his name from “the epic battle of First Manassas, where he and his brigade earned him the title “Stonewall” (para. 3) according to the Civil War Trust biography on Jackson. It was given to him when a fellow general compared Jackson to a stonewall in order to inspire his own men, he shouted “Look, men! There is Jackson standing like a stone wall” (para. 2). This nickname itself shows how clear headed Jackson must have been in order to be so clear and decisive in the face of the enemy. If he were to have had a million and one other things running through

After all, it was his leadership in these times of war, like the Battle of First Manassas, that got him promoted to the position of General. “He was the man whom they [Confederate soldiers] would prefer for their leader”, Dabney says (p. 79). Such an excellent leader cannot go unnoticed in these situations. There is no way that during times like intense battle that great leadership could go unappreciated. For example, even before he was named general, he pushed troops like no other. At the Battle of Bull Run he demonstrated superb leadership resulting in the day with the most casualties of the ‘Stonewall Brigade’ but also resulted in the other men of the Confederacy earning a great respect for Stonewall. Even after Stonewall had been promoted to Major General, he continued to impress with his leadership. Even in the bloodiest single day of the Civil War, the battle of Antietam, Jackson held out his men. Him and his brigade were positioned in the northern end of the battle, and held out against a very intense attack from the Union. In fact, this particular demonstration of leadership “promoted [Jackson] to Lieutenant General in command of Second Corps” (p. 81, Dabney).
Jackson’s character was also something to be noted about the influence of the Civil War. His character was described as “pure and noble” (p. v- preface, Jackson). He left an impression on anyone he encountered which of course led to those around him looking to him and allowing him to lead them. This obviously ties into the main factor of his excellent leadership, but his “determined character, sound judgment, and excellent morals” (p. 2, Dabney) are what led to that leadership ability, and thereby his impact on the Civil