Stonewall Jackson Commemoration

General Thomas J. Jackson, respectfully known to history as Stonewall, was one of the most noteworthy heroes of the Civil War. He served the South valiantly and with honor and he has come to be regarded as one of the greatest tactical minds in the history of our nation. He came to his place of distinction through hard work and determination in spite of several disadvantages. He was a true representation of American values and he is exceedingly worthy of commemoration.

Stonewall was raised as an average citizen of his day with little education and few opportunities. He was a man meant for greatness, however, and even his low entrance exam scores, the bottom of his class, actually, at West Point couldn’t keep him from learning quickly and excelling to graduate 17th of 59 classmates (Cartmell 187). Throughout his entire life, he excelled in spite of limitations. He refused to be held back by his limited educational background and when war broke out, he refused to be held back by the quirks of his personality that had made him a relatively unsuccessful teacher at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Though he was a perfect man and perfect general by no means, he proved that willpower and dedication make individuals stand apart as leaders.

Even with some defeats to his name, Stonewall was one of the most successful and most respected generals of the Civil War. It has since been speculated that Jackson may have had Asperger’s Syndrome, an explanation for many of his bizarre behaviors and certain social limitations (Fitzgerald). But that did not hold him back from being marked as one of the key minds behind the near success of the Confederate Army. He was an ardent Presbyterian, a dedicated patriot, and an essential contributor to Civil War General Robert E. Lee’s march against the Union. It is only fitting that Stonewall Jackson would be remembered after our nation’s wounds are healed, not as an enemy of the North, but as a man true to his cause and a proud son of Virginia.

Works Cited

Cartmell, Donald. The Civil War Book of Lists. New Jersey: Career Press, 2001. Print.

Fitzgerald, Michael. "Did 'Stonewall' Jackson have Asperger's Syndrome?." Society of Clinical Psychiatrists. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <http://www.scpnet.com/paper2_2.htm>.

VMI. "Stonewall Jackson at the Virginia Military Institute." VMI Archives. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2013. <http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=4925>.