Stonewall Jackson’s story is one of the most intriguing of the American Civil War. He was one of the Confederacy’s most successful military leaders, yet pursued teaching instead of the military after his graduation from West Point. “Look men! There is Jackson standing like a stone wall!” would become the foundation of his nickname in the First Battle of Bull Run. Here are some interesting facts to consider about this Confederate general.
1. Shot By Friendly Fire
Stonewall Jackson wasn’t killed by a Union bullet. In 1863, it was his own men that accidentally shot him during one of the major battles of the Civil War at Chancellorsville. Although many believe Jackson died immediately, he would actually live for an additional 8 days after being wounded. It wasn’t even the gunshot wound that ended up killing this Confederate commander.
2. Surviving an Amputation
The only thing that doctors could do for Jackson after his injury was to amputate the arm that had been shot. After giving him chloroform, doctors used a bone saw to eliminate the affected appendage. Jackson came out of the surgery remarkably well and even began to discuss military strategies and tactics for the first days after the surgery.
3. Fell To Pneumonia
Even though his arm had been amputated, the surgery may not have been performed under completely sterile conditions, and there’s the fact that he’d been shot by his own men, it was a simple case of pneumonia that ended up setting in and killing the general. There was no known infection from the surgery or other complications from the injury that contributed to Stonewall Jackson’s death.
4. Jackson Didn’t Want the Confederacy
As with many of the generals who fought in the Confederacy, Jackson hoped that his home state of Virginia would remain with the Union. His loyalty was to his state and when Virginia seceded in 1861, Jackson would come to support the Confederacy when independence from the US was officially declared.
Stonewall Jackson has left an enduring legacy that remains quite positive from an American standpoint despite his military involvement against the Union. It is his bravery that is always remembered and that alone is a testament to the type of man that Jackson happened to be.
