Remembring T.J. Jackson

[jon_norstog]

It's the 156th anniversary of Stonewall Jackson's death.

"156 years ago today, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson succumbed to pneumonia a week after leading his men in an audacious flank attack at the Battle of Chancellorsville. During that fateful battle, Jackson had been accidentally fired upon by his own men. After the amputation of his left arm, Jackson was transported 27 miles south to the rail depot at Guinea Station. After arriving at Guinea Station, Jackson and his staff were made aware that the tracks to Richmond had been torn up by the general's West Point roommate and Union cavalry commander George Stoneman. Jackson spent the last six days of his life in the office building of Thomas Coleman Chandler's sprawling plantation—Fairfield. At 3:15 on the afternoon of May 10, 1863, with his wife and members of his staff by his side, the 39-year-old Jackson uttered his final words. 'Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.'"

Here's a pretty decent article on his taking of Harper's Ferry, which cleared the way for Lee's 1862 advance into MarylaND.

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/stonewall-jacksons-triumph-harpers-ferry?

I'm a Union man myself, but you have to recognize valor, skil and greatness wherever you see it.

jn

jn

[Merc]

Few of us realize how fortunate we were today that the brilliant Jackson wasn’t around longer. The Union might have won the Civil War by attrition but it would have taken a lot longer and been costlier with Jackson advising Lee at Gettysburg, etc. The Civil War took 625,000 lives. Stretch it out another year or two, and we could be looking at another additional 125,000 - 250,000 lives lost.

Another thing to consider is what would have happened if the Confederate States would have won the Civil War. The United States may have been divided into several separate smaller countries and resembled Europe. Which one would have been strong enough to step in and defeat Germany and Japan during WW2 that, by the way, turned out to be the single greatest man-made catastrophe in history. The world could have looked a lot different today if the Confederates would have won the Civil War.

[bruce]

Had the Confederate States of America won the war, the north would have lived with the consequenses ... same as old europe, etc. Later, when old europe lost it's mind and later when the whole world went mad, the north would have had to work out a deal with the CSA for oil, etc. After the european mess was over, the CSA would have been free to run its affairs as its citizens considered best ... same as the north. Cannot see that that would have been a big problem. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

[S.A. Boggs]

Would be interesting if one of our whiz bank computer geeks could come up with a program. Plug in the available historical variables and see where the "two" nations would have gone. The South had very little, if any, chance for a protracted war against the North. Very little industrial resources for making armament, low percentage of available age men, a slave population to keep in check. Their only hope was to continue to have been able to bring the war to the northern states, which didn't happen to any great degree. The other problem was that the South was a Confederacy, not a good idea of government. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians in this case. With the coming of industrialization, slavery would have slowly died off due to the cost of keeping slaves. Something today is starting to happen in fast food with the invention of machines that can do the cooking and packaging of meals, who needs $15.00 an hour people?
Sam

[togor]

Had the Confederate States of America won the war, the north would have lived with the consequenses ... same as old europe, etc. Later, when old europe lost it's mind and later when the whole world went mad, the north would have had to work out a deal with the CSA for oil, etc. After the european mess was over, the CSA would have been free to run its affairs as its citizens considered best ... same as the north. Cannot see that that would have been a big problem. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

No way a fractured Anglo-America turns back the German rise, which took two major wars in the span of one generation to defeat. Slaves in Europe, slaves in North America, what's not to like, I guess. A lot, IMO.

[Vern Humphrey]

The air of heaven was black with smoke
Black with battle and loud with lead
When Thomas Jonathan Jackson spoke
And these are the words that Jackson said

As the blood of his arm ran over his breast
And he lay and bled with his hand in Lee's
"Let us cross over the river and rest
rest in the shade of the trees."

[S.A. Boggs]

I have toured the General's house, quite impressive to say the least. My family and I paid respects, did not leave lemon's behind as other's have done. He and Patton were cut from the same bolt of cloth.
Sam

[free1954]

countless discussions have been held on what later battles would have been like had general Jackson lived. but what about if Jackson, a man of deep religious convictions, had sided with the north.

[Merc]

countless discussions have been held on what later battles would have been like had general Jackson lived. but what about if Jackson, a man of deep religious convictions, had sided with the north.

Lee recognized Jackson’s superior military abilities, but he would have probably been considered too eccentric to be placed in a leadership role by Halleck, who thought Grant was a drunk. Lincoln finally stepped in and told him to find out what Grant drinks and buy him a case. The Army followed a strict code of seniority. That’s how they wound up with the likes of McClellan, Burnside and Hooker.

Gettysburg would have probably turned out differently if Jackson was there.

[Bill E]

Yes, Gettysburg may have been lost at Chancellorsville.

[Vern Humphrey]

Ewell would have won the battle if he had pressed forward and occupied Culp's Hill on the first day. He was, of course, commanding Jackson's old corps.

[Merc]

Ewell would have won the battle if he had pressed forward and occupied Culp's Hill on the first day. He was, of course, commanding Jackson's old corps.

It’s a bit wordy, but the following explains the first day.

https://www.historynet.com/did-lt-gen-richard-ewell-lose-the-battle-of-gettysburg.htm