Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (January 21, 1824-May 10, 1863) was a Confederate General during the Civil War, serving under General Robert E. Lee. General Jackson's tremendous success in combat against great odds was observed in numerous battles, including the: Battle of Bull Run; Shenandoah Valley; Cross Keys; Port Republic; Seven Day's Battle; Second Battle of Bull Run; etc. When he died, General Lee exclaimed, "I have lost my right arm."
As professor of philosophy and tactics at Virginia Military Institute, General Jackson once said:
<When we take our meals, there is the grace. When I take a draught of water, I always pause, as my palate receives the refreshment, to lift up my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the water of life. Whenever I drop a letter into the box at the post-office, I send a petition along with it, for God's blessing upon its mission and upon the person to whom it is sent.
When I break the seal of a letter just received, I stop to pray to God that He may prepare me for its contents, and make it a messenger of good. When I go to my class-room and await the arrangement of the cadets in their places, that is my time to intercede with God for them.> 1824TJ001
In 1842, Jackson wrote to his uncle Alfred Neale, concerning the sudden death of his brother, Warren:
<I have received no answer to my last communication conveying the sad news of my brother's premature death.
He died in the hope of a bright immortality at the right hand of His Redeemer...
As time is knowledge I must hasten my pen forward.
We have received the smile of Bounteous Providence in a favorable Spring. There is a volunteer company being formed here to march to Texas, in order to assist in the noble cause of liberty.> 1824TJ002
In 1852, Jackson wrote to his aunt, Mrs. Clementine (Alfred) Neale, from Lexington, Virginia:
<The subject of becoming herald of the cross has often seriously engaged my attention, and I regard it as the most noble of all professions. It is the profession of our divine Redeemer, and I should not be surprised were I to die upon a foreign field, clad in ministerial armor, fighting under the banner of Jesus.
What could be more glorious?
But my conviction is that I am doing good here; and that for the present I am where God would have me be. Within the last few days I have felt an unusual religious joy. I do rejoice to walk in the love of God.
My heavenly Father condescended to use me as an instrument in getting up a large Sabbath school for the negroes here. He has greatly blessed it, and, I trust, all who are connected with it.> 1824TJ003
General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, on April 13, 1859, wrote in a letter to his wife, Mary Ann:
<Is there not comfort in prayer, which is not elsewhere to be found?"> 1824TJ004
On July 22, 1861, General Stonewall Jackson wrote to his wife, Mary Ann, from Manassas:
<My precious Pet,-Yesterday, we fought a great battle and gained a great victory for which all the glory is due to God alone...My preservation was entirely due, as was the glorious victory, to our God, to whom be all the honor, grace, and glory.> 1824TJ005
On the battlefield in Manassas, General Stonewall Jackson prayed:
<Oh God, let this horrible war quickly come to an end that we may all return home and engage in the only work that is worthwhile-and that is the salvation of men.> 1824TJ006
General Jackson's old servant said he:
<...could always tell when a battle was near at hand, by seeing the general get up a great many times in the night to pray.> 1824TJ007
After the Battle of Cross Keys, Chaplain Bennett recorded a soldier's remarks:
<I saw something today which affected me more than anything I ever saw or read on religion. While the battle was raging and the bullets were flying, Jackson rode by, calm as if he were at home, but his head was raised toward heaven, and his lips were moving, evidently in prayer.> 1824TJ008
In a letter to his wife, General Stonewall Jackson wrote:
<Don't trouble yourself...these things are earthly and transitory. There are real and glorious blessings, I trust, in reserve for us, beyond this life. It is best for us to keep our eyes fixed upon the throne of God....It is gratifying to be
beloved, and to have our conduct approved by our fellow men; but this is not worthy to be compared with the glory that is in reservation for us, in the presence of the glorified Redeemer...knowing that there awaits us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."> 1824TJ009
General Stonewall Jackson had faithfully taught a colored Sunday school class in Lexington. He wrote to his pastor, the Reverend Dr. White:
<My dear Pastor,
In my tent last night, after a fatiguing day's service, I remembered that I had failed to send you my contribution for our colored Sunday School. Enclosed you will find my check for that object, which please acknowledge at your earliest convenience and oblige yours faithfully,
T. Jackson.> 1824TJ010
R.G. Williams, Jr., wrote in his article, 'Stonewall Jackson, Champion of Black Literacy':
<Virginia law prohibited whites from teaching blacks to read and write. Though Stonewall Jackson was known as an upstanding and law-abiding citizen in Lexington, he routinely broke this law every Sunday. Though the law was not strictly enforced, Jackson quietly practiced civil disobedience by having an organized Sunday school class every Sunday afternoon, teaching black children to read, and teaching them the way of salvation. There are still churches active today that were founded by blacks reached with the Gospel through Jackson's efforts.
Jackson taught the Sunday school class for blacks while he served as a deacon in Lexington's Presbyterian Church. It was in the autumn of 1855 that Jackson, with the permission of his pastor, Dr. William S. White, began the class in a building near the main sanctuary. Every Sabbath afternoon shortly before 3:00 pm, the church bell would toll letting everyone know it was time to worship the Creator of all men.
Jackson quickly gained the admiration and respect of blacks in the surrounding area as his zeal was apparent, and he took this solemn responsibility seriously. Attendance often numbered more than one hundred and Dr. White later wrote that Jackson "threw himself into this work with all of his characteristic energy and wisdom."
Jackson not only demanded much of himself in reaching slaves and free blacks, he demanded much of his students. His classes began promptly at three, and once he started, the classroom door was locked and latecomers were not allowed entrance. Bibles and books were awarded to those who were faithful and showed satisfactory progress. He also expected his students to give to the Lord's work.
"On one occasion Gen. Thomas J. Jackson was appointed one of the collectors of the Bible Society. When he returned his list it was discovered that, at the end, copied by the clerk of session, was a considerable number of names written in pencil, to each of which a very small amount was attached. Moreover, the session, recognizing very few of the names, asked who these were. Jackson's characteristic reply was, 'They are the militia; as the Bible Society is not a Presbyterian but a Christian cause, I deemed it best to go beyond the limits of our own church.' They were the names chiefly of free Negroes."
This relationship between Jackson and the blacks of his community was not all that uncommon in the South, particularly pertaining to whites who were devout Christians. Dr. James I. Robertson wrote:
'In Jackson's mind, slaves were children of God placed in subordinate situations for reasons only the Creator could explain. Helping them was a missionary effort for Jackson. Their souls had to be saved. Although Jackson could not alter the social status of slaves, he could and did display Christian decency to those whose lot it was to be in bondage, he was emphatically the black man's friend.'
It was obvious that Jackson's concern for his black brethren was real and something that occupied his mind even at the height of the war.
William Jones tells the story:
“Soon after one of the great battles, a large crowd gathered one day at the post office in Lexington, anxiously awaiting the opening of the mail, that they might get the particulars concerning the great battle which they had heard had been fought. The venerable pastor of the Presbyterian Church (Rev. Dr. W.S. White, from whom I received the incident) was of the company, and soon had handed him a letter which he recognized as directed in Jackson's well known handwriting.
'Now,' said he, 'we will have the news! Here is a letter from General Jackson himself.'
The crowd eagerly gathered around, but heard to their very great disappointment a letter which made not the most remote allusion to the battle or the war, but which enclosed a check for fifty dollars with which to buy books for his colored Sunday school, and was filled with inquiries after the interests of the school and the church.
He had no time for inclination to write of the great victory and the imperishable laurels he was winning; but he found time to remember his noble work among God's poor, and to contribute further to the good of the Negro children whose true friend and benefactor he had always been. And he was accustomed to say that one of the very greatest privations to him which the war brought, was that he was taken away from his loved work in the colored Sunday school.”
It was further obvious that the blacks of Lexington knew that Jackson's love and concern for their spiritual well-being was real and they returned his affection.> 1824TJ110
On June 7, 1858, General Stonewall Jackson wrote to a fellow member of Lexington Presbyterian Church, Professor John Lyle Campbell of Washington College, describing his Sunday School Class, begun in 1855 for Lexington's slaves and free blacks, both adult and children, which had an enrollment of nearly 100:
<Lexington, Va., June 7th/58 Dear Sir,
In compliance with your request I proceed to give you a statement respecting the condition of the Lexington Colored Sabbath School. But in doing so, I feel it unnecessary to say more than a few words, as you are already acquainted with its leading features. The school is usually opened by singing part of a hymn, which should be announced the previous Sabbath.
This is followed by reading one or more verses from the Bible, with explanations & applications; this is succeeded by prayer. After this each class is instructed by its teacher from the Bible, catechism and hymn book. At the close of the school which is near forty five minutes from the opening, there is a public examination on two verses of the child catechism, published by our Board.
These verses should be announced the previous Sabbath.
After the close of the examination, the school is dismissed, the remaining part of the opening hymn having been sung immediately after the examination.
The system of reward you are acquainted with, and the premiums so far have been near a dozen Testaments and one Bible. The day of their presentation is the first Sabbath of each month. Several scholars are studying the shorter catechism at the present time. Each teacher keeps a class book in which is noted each scholar's department in school.
The lesson should be taught one Sabbath, with a view to examination & mark on the next. Each teacher at the close of the month give me a circular (blanks having been furnished) exhibiting for each scholar the manner in which the lesson has been prepared, the conduct in school, no. of lates, absences, &c.
From these circulars, I make a monthly entry in the record book, which contains not only the no. of lates & absences, but also the names of the teachers, scholars, owners, persons with whom the scholars are living, the lates & absences of teachers, and a weekly record of the proceedings of the school. By reference to the record book, I find 91 to be the no. of scholars there reported.
Praying that the S. school convention may be a great blessing to the cause & to yourself I remain your attached friend.
T.J. Jackson> 1824TJ111
General Jackson was instrumental in organizing the Chaplains' Association within the southern ranks. When it was reported to him how his army responded by attending religious services, Jackson replied:
<That is good-very good-we ought to thank God for that.> 1824TJ011 In 1862, during the midst of the Civil War, Stonewall Jackson wrote to
his wife, who was ill:
<I trust you and all I have in the hands of an ever kind Providence, knowing that all things work together for the good of His people. So live that your sufferings may be sanctified to you; remember that our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.> 1824TJ012
On May 2, 1863, the seemingly invincible Confederate Army won their greatest victory of the war at Chancellorville against overwhelming odds, 130,000 Union troops against only 60,000 Confederate. This victory was short- lived, though, for at twilight, as General Stonewall Jackson was scouting ahead of his troops, he was accidentally shot by his own troops. His left arm had to be amputated. This was a tragedy from which the Confederate troops never fully recovered.
The next day, when visited by Chaplain Lacy, Jackson remarked:
<You see me severely wounded but not depressed....I am sure that my Heavenly Father designs this affliction for my good. I am perfectly satisfied, that either in this life, or in that which is to come, I shall discover that what is now regarded as a calamity, is a blessing....
If it were in my power to replace my arm, I would not dare to do it, unless I could know it was the will of my Heavenly Father.> 1824TJ013
On May 10, 1863, General Jackson's wife, who had been called to his side, comforted him, saying, "Do you not feel willing to acquiesce in God's allotment, if He wills you to go today....Well, before this day closes, you will be with the blessed Saviour in His glory." Jackson responded:
<I will be an infinite gainer to be translated.> 1824TJ014
General Stonewall Jackson, in his restless sleep, uttered his final words:
<Let us pass over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.> 1824TJ015
--
American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1824TJ001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Statement from General Robert E. Lee, upon receiving information of the death of General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Prof. R.L. Dabney, D.D., Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1983), pp. 106-107. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 1.23.
1824TJ002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, 1842, in a letter to his uncle, Alfred Neale, concerning the death of his brother, Warren. John G. Gittings, Personal Recollections of Stonewall Jackson (Cincinnati: The Editor Publishing Company, 1899), p. 32.
1824TJ003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, 1852, in a letter to his Aunt, Mrs. Clementine (Alfred) Neale, from Lexington, Virginia. Mary Ann Jackson, Life and Letters by his Wife. John G. Gittings, Personal Recollections of Stonewall Jackson (Cincinnati: The Editor Publishing Company, 1899), p. 32.Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses (Portland, OR: American Heritage Ministries, 1987; Mantle Ministries, 228 Still Ridge, Bulverde, Texas), p. 248.
1824TJ004. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, April 13, 1859, writing in a letter to his wife. Prof. R.L. Dabney, D.D., Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1983), p. 329. Peter Marshall & David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, 1991), 4.13.
1824TJ005. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, July 22, 1861, in writing to his wife, Mary Ann, from Manassas. Memoirs of Stonewall Jackson (Dayton: Morningside Bookshop, 1976), p. 131. John Eidsmoe, God & Caesar-Christian Faith & Political Action (Westchester, IL: Crossway Books, a Division of Good News Publishers, 1984), p. 137.
1824TJ006. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, a prayer given on the battlefield in Manassas. Roy Bird Cook, The Family and Early Life of Stonewall Jackson, p. 92.
1824TJ007. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Statement of General Jackson's servant. John Williams Jones, D.D., Christ in the Camp (Richmond, VA: B.F. Johnson & Co., 1887, 1897; The Martin & Hoyt Co., 1904; Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1986), p. 88. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 4.2.
1824TJ008. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. Confederate soldier's remark after the Battle of Cross Keys. William W. Bennett, A Narrative of the Great Revival Which Prevailed in the Southern Armies (1877), p. 67. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 8.13.
1824TJ009. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, in a letter to his wife. Prof. R.L. Dabney, D.D., Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1983), p. 588. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 8.22.
1824TJ010. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, in a letter to his pastor, Reverend Dr. White, concerning the Sunday School class General Jackson taught in Lexington. John G. Gittings, Personal Recollections of Stonewall Jackson (Cincinnati: The Editor Publishing Company, 1899), p. 65.
1824TJ110. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan 'Stonewall' Jackson. R.G. Williams, Jr., in his article, 'Stonewall Jackson, Champion of Black Literacy.' http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig2/williams1.html
1824TJ111. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan 'Stonewall' Jackson, June 7, 1858, to a fellow member of Lexington Presbyterian Church, Professor John Lyle Campbell of Washington College, describing his Sunday School Class, begun in 1855 for Lexington's slaves and free blacks, both adult and children, which had an enrollment of nearly 100. The Virginia Military Institute Archives in Lexington, VA.
1824TJ011. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, statement made after hearing of soldiers attending religious services. John Williams Jones, D.D., Christ in the Camp (Richmond, VA: B.F. Johnson & Co., 1887, 1897; The Martin & Hoyt Co., 1904; Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1986), p. 93. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 9.4.
1824TJ012. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, 1862, in a letter to his ill wife. Prof. R.L. Dabney, D.D., Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1983), p. 329. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart 'N Home, Inc., 1991), 4.7.
1824TJ013. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, May 2, 1863, in a comment to Chaplain Lacy, following the loss his left arm in the Battle of Chancellorville. Prof. R.L. Dabney, D.D., Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1983), p. 707. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 5.3.
1824TJ014. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, May 10, 1863, in response to his wife. Prof. R.L. Dabney, D.D., Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1983), pp. 722-723. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 5.10.
1824TJ015. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, May 10, 1863, his last words. Prof. R.L. Dabney, D.D., Life and Campaigns of Lieut.-General Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1983), pp. 724-726. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg's Heart'N Home, Inc., 1991), 5.11.