Wednesday, May 02, 2007
This Day in American History
On this day in 1863, Confederate Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson was mistakenly shot by his own soldiers. His flanking march against General Hooker's much more numerous federal troops at Chancellorsville had taken a long time and although the battle was won by early afternoon, the fighting continued into the early evening when it was difficult to distinguish grey from blue. Jackson lost an arm and was recovering when he developed pneumonia which killed him nearly a month later. The general was so revered that there is a marker on the spot where they buried his arm.
Labels: Confederate Gen. Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson
# posted by Roger Fraley @ 7:03 AM 
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On hearing of Jackson's wound, Lee said "General Jackson may have lost his left arm, but i have lost my right" (referring to Jackson).
Jackson's death was a major turning point in the war. His ability as a General should not be underestimated. Lee's army was never the same without jackson as Gettysberg was to prove.
Jackson's death was a major turning point in the war. His ability as a General should not be underestimated. Lee's army was never the same without jackson as Gettysberg was to prove.
# posted by 
: 1:34 PM
: 1:34 PM
I agree. There was no one to replace him and the next thing they did ended in defeat. Jackson would have swept through Gettysburg more completely and not let the federals consolidate on hills east and south of the town. Or he would have added his voice to Longstreet to withdraw towards Washington and slaughter the federals who would have had to follow and attack. With preparation of a Confederate defense, the federals did very poorly with straight on assaults. Still, even had Gettysburg gone better, losing Atlanta over a year later put the final nail in the South's coffin. Thanks for the comment.
On a dark humor note...
Wilderness Battlefield is just down the road from where I live. Driving out Route 3 near the battlefield, there are numerous historical roadside markers, most of them relating to "The War of Northern Aggression".
At one point, there's a sign that says "Wounding of Jackson". A little further down the road is another with the heading "Amputation of Jackson's Arm".
OK, so maybe it's just my warped mind that finds that amusing.
Wilderness Battlefield is just down the road from where I live. Driving out Route 3 near the battlefield, there are numerous historical roadside markers, most of them relating to "The War of Northern Aggression".
At one point, there's a sign that says "Wounding of Jackson". A little further down the road is another with the heading "Amputation of Jackson's Arm".
OK, so maybe it's just my warped mind that finds that amusing.
Andy, I went to high school in Richmond with direct descendants of the doctor, Magruder? who cut off the arm. I've seen those markers and been amused as well. Isn't the Wilderness a bit south and west of Chancellorsville battlefield? My imperfect memory makes me ask that.
Let's see...without actually going down the road to look, I think you're right about the location of Wilderness relative to Chancellorsville.
The Chancellorsville battlefield sort of straddles Rt. 3 just a little west of Five Mile Fork, and Wilderness is further west and a bit south of Rt. 3 near Locust Grove.
I was thinking Jackson was wounded at Wilderness, but it may have been Chancellorsville. The historical markers are along Rt. 3 between the two battlefields.
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The Chancellorsville battlefield sort of straddles Rt. 3 just a little west of Five Mile Fork, and Wilderness is further west and a bit south of Rt. 3 near Locust Grove.
I was thinking Jackson was wounded at Wilderness, but it may have been Chancellorsville. The historical markers are along Rt. 3 between the two battlefields.
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