Confederate General

Hero.

Confederate general Thomas J. Jackson was arguably the first military hero of the Civil War, gaining a national reputation as a winner and tough warrior. During the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, when Federal troops appeared close to victory, Jackson suddenly arrived with his fellow Virginians to shore up the weakened Confederate line. Jackson's men firmly held their positions and turned back several enemy assaults. Trying to rally his own troops among the confusion, Gen. Bernard Bee pointed toward Jackson's men on his left and yelled: "Look at Jackson's brigade! It stands there like a stone wall!" The Southerners finally regrouped and counterattacked, forcing the Northerners to retreat. For his heroic stand, Jackson gained celebrity status and, until his untimely death, he was simply recognized as "Stonewall."

Early Years.

Thomas Jackson was born on 21 January 1824, in Clarksburg (now...