Reviews for Stonewall Jackson: The Good Soldier

The average rating for Stonewall Jackson: The Good Soldier based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-09-08 00:00:00 Qwertyuiop Qwertyuiop Tom Jackson came from a family of small farmers rather than from the privileged planter class and he believed that slavery was immoral, he owned no slaves and he had little in common with the rich planters who did. As a youngster he undertook a variety of jobs before Congressman Hays had his turn at appointing a cadet to West Point. Four candidates were nominated and Tom, having impressed in whatever he had previously done and having had many letters of support sent to his Congressman, was one of them. Tom made his way to Washington and Hays spoke up for him and he was admitted to West Point to take the necessary examinations. He was no great success to begin with, finishing 51st in a class of 72 in his first examination. But he was determined and he studied hard and he mastered every study he undertook. He later told his cousin, Sylvanus White, when on leave back home, 'I tell you I had to work hard. Not for all Lewis County would I fail to go back to West Point. I am going to make a man of myself if I live. I can do anything I will to do.' And on 30 June 1846, Cadet Jackson was commissioned Brevet 2nd Lieutenant of Artillery. His career was underway and once the Civil War began he showed his courage at the Battle of 1st Manassas as he helped save the Confederate army and also earned his enduring nickname when repulsing a Union attack. General Bee felt that the Union army was beating them back and said so to Jackson, who replied, 'Then, sir, we will give them the bayonet.' Bee then rallied the troops and shouted, 'Look there at Jackson, standing like a stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians.' Thereafter Jackson's brigade were known as the Stonewall Brigade. He was much loved by his men and known by them for his prodigious marches and at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee used Jackson and his men to execute his most daring tactical manoeuvre of the war. Thereafter he and Lee were always close and when Jackson was wounded, possibly by friendly fire, and subsequently died of pneumonia, Lee mourned him, saying it was like 'losing my right arm'. Allen Tate has written a stirring and patriotic biography that will entertain any readers of American history and students of the Civil War and at the end of it, they may well have another hero in their hearts.

Review # 2 was written on 2018-08-15 00:00:00 Lawrence Rankin This biography of Stonewall Jackson is a worthy read in a couple of ways. One, the background and description of the battles, even though from a Southern perspective, are accurate and informative. Tate's description of Stonewall Jackson is even handed, even though Jackson is a somewhat mysterious figure about which not a whole lot is known. What makes this book interesting, as long as it doesn't offend you, is that it was written in 1927 by the Poet Allen Tate in an attempt to renovate the reputation of the South and make a defense for their war. Tate is a Southerner through and through so while his facts are clear and accurate and his description of Jackson not gushing nor even particularly flattering, his opinions as to the outcome of various battles probably differ than most people's today. His terminology is slanted toward a legitimate Secession. He refers to Jefferson Davis as "President Davis" and Lincoln as "The Northern President." He faults Davis for losing the war for the South as well as a few Generals he felt were over complacent. He thinks Jackson is eccentric but effective, most of the time. The only person in his biography with which he finds no fault is General Robert E. Lee. People looking for a complete record of the Civil War will be disappointed as this historical record ends with Jackson's unexpected death in 1963, two years before the war ended. Needless to say I disagree with the author's attitude but I think it is invaluable to read this dated piece of historical record in order to remember and understand the attitudes and culture of a past time. I look forward to reading S.C. Gwynne's Rebel Yell and compare the two biographies of this fascinating historical figure, who I may say, had he lived, might have turned the war around. In my opinion, as much as I respect Jackson's abilities; I think our country benefited from his death.