Jackson, Stonewall (1824-1863) considered by military authorities an outstanding leader, a skilled tactician, and one of the ablest Confederate commanders. Jackson was born Thomas Jonathan Jackson on January 21, 1824, in Clarksburg, Virginia (now in West Virginia), and was educated at the U.S . Military Academy. Following his graduation (1846) from West Point he participated in the Mexican War until 1848. He became an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute in 1851, and the next year he resigned from the …showed first 75 words of 291 total…

…showed last 75 words of 291 total…of Bull Run. Jackson then crossed the Potomac into Maryland with Lee, who ordered him to capture Harpers Ferry. His task accomplished in September 1862, Jackson rushed north to Antietam Creek to aid Lee, who was under attack by an overwhelming Union force. Jackson commanded the right wing of the victorious Confederate army at Frederiksburg in December 1862. On May 2, 1863, while leading his forces at Chancellorsville, Jackson was accidentally shot and fatally wounded by his own men.