Stonewall Jackson

Stonewall Jackson in his uniform

"Then, sir, we shall give them the bayonet." These are the words of Brigadier General Thomas J. Jackson when General Barnard Bee said that federal troops were pushing him back. Thomas Jackson, also known as Stonewall Jackson, was a Confederate general in the Civil War. He also fought in the Mexican-American War.

Stonewall Jackson is my hero because he was one of the best generals of the Civil War. This is personified in his honorary name Stonewall. This name came from General Bee when, during the first Bull Run, Bee said, "Look at Jackson standing like a stone wall." His brigade also became known as the Stonewall Brigade.

But Stonewall Jackson did many things before the Civil War. He fought in the Mexican-American War. This is where he met Robert E. Lee. A friendship that would be needed in the war to come. After the fighting with Mexico subsided, he taught at the Virgina Military Institute. That is until he was called to war by the South.

Jackson was an important part of the Southern war effort. He was also one of Lee's most trusted generals. This made him crucial to Lee in almost every respect. Jackson was a wonderful field leader, and always at the front line with his troops. As such, he was a key part of the Shiloh Valley campaign, the seven day campaign, and Antietam. As a matter of fact he was an important part of almost every battle until Chancellorsville.

During the night, while riding back to his troops, Jackson was shot by his own picket (soldiers in front of the main force looking for enemy movement). He was only shot in the arm, so he should have recovered relatively quickly. But Jackson caught pneumonia and died eight days later. Jackson was such a hero, that when he died, it severely hampered the war effort. People all around the south mourned. If people care that much for what you did, I believe you're a hero.