Stonewall Jackson

’s 1862 Valley Campaign Essay, Research Paper

Many traits are associated with Thomas Jonathan Jackson and his

leadership in the confederacy. He is known for stark determination, military

genius beyond all others, and the ability to turn any army into a fighting machine.

Jackson became legendary when a South Carolina general, seeking to rally his

own men at Bull Run, pointed to Jackson and shouted, .Look, there is Jackson

and his men standing like a stone wall against the enemy.. Thus he forever

became .Stonewall. Jackson. Jackson.s military legacy had begun even before

this moment, when he diverted 20,000 northern troops in the Shenendoah Valley

of Virginia, with only 7,000 troops of him own. The image of Stonewall Jackson

has forever been one of the most fascinating associated with Civil War military

operation.

However, the true military genius of Jackson lies in his understanding of

movement in war. He could maneuver a brigade under the nose of opposing

armies, march his men farther and faster than anyone before, and understood

the critical importance of railroads to the war effort. Using all these techniques,

he single-handedly distracted much of the Union force headed to Richmond

(including McClellan). The operations of Jackson in the Shenendoah during the

first half of the year 1862 constitute one of the most brilliant episodes of military

movement in history and continue to be a standard for military study today.

Beginning with the Battle of Kernstown on March 23 and ending with the

Battle of Fort Republic on June 9, Stonewall Jackson produced the single

greatest military operation in the Civil War. The almost impossible marches, the

unbelievable defeats of armies triple the size of his own, and the continuous

confusion the Union faced made his maneuvers legendary. Two factors gave

the region military value. The Army of Northern Virginia was almost dependent

on its agricultural products. And secondly, it became a fortress that had to be

occupied to advance into Virginia (specifically Richmond) [Appendix A].

Jackson recognized that this valley was the key to military movement, and

military supremacy, in the eastern theater.

Soon after the battle of Bull Run .Jackson was promoted to command the

Valley District of Virginia..1 His command revolved solely around the

Shenendoah, of which the Union forces held Romney and the north side of the

Potomac. Jackson had only a small regiment at his disposal to try and regain

this territory. The campaign had no definitive beginning, but the movement

during the month of March signaled the first action. On March 23 at Kernstown,

Jackson was handed his only .loss. when he battled Nathaniel Banks and his

9000 men with less than 3000 of his own men. Jackson.s regiment was routed,

but the battle caused Banks to postpone his move on Washington, thus .freezing

a large body of union troops in the valley.2. Moreover, it .convinced President

Lincoln that Jackson.s army could be cut of and destroyed..3 He now retired up

the valley. He appeared suddenly at McDowell on May 8 and sent a Federal

force on retreat. One confederate officer recalled the effects of the battle:

.Jackson.s prompt action and bold attack had completely changed McClellan.s

plans, and instead of establishing Banks near Manassas, he ordered him to

remain in the valley, and even sent [reinforcements], to aid in driving back

Jackson..4 .Marching with the speed that earned his troops the nickname the

.foot cavalry. he attacked and defeated a small union garrison at Front Royal.5

and then fell upon Bank.s retreating main army at Winchester on May 25. Here

he defeated 64,000 troops with his own 17,000 by flanking his position in the

city. Stonewall Jackson.s small valley army had .turned the tables on Banks and

the Washington government, and now held control of the entire Shenendoah..6

Threatened by Jackson.s close proximity to Washington, Lincoln diverted

Federal troops to surround his army. Jackson watched three Federal columns

converge to destroy him, but narrowly escaped by falling back on Harper.s Ferry

on May 31, forcing part of his army to march 50 miles in two days to elude the

trap. Jackson continued to withdraw up the valley with Union forces in hot

pursuit. Jackson foresaw the two Federal columns. converging on Port

Republic; therefore, he concentrated forces there and kept Fremont and Shields

separated. General Richard Ewell held off Fremont.s forces at Cross Keys to

allow Jackson time to plan a strike. Jackson.s forces crossed the Shenendoah

River and attacked Shields on June 9. After a vicious battle, the Federals were

routed and retreated northward, leaving Jackson .master of the Valley..7 He had

.thwarted every Union effort made against him..8 He did so through a

combination of hard marches, knowledge of terrain, unexpected tactics,

singleness of pu

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