As another Lame Cherry exclusive in matter anti matter.
Detractors always have a way of calling people stupid by class standings, such as at West Point, but rarely make the point that the military academy classes were formed from people in the states, in some of the most remote and backwards and uneducated areas.
The very reason that numbers of West Point cadets appeared as due to the fact that the families were so poor that was the only way to a formal education.
It is in this understanding that Thomas Jackson appeared at age 18 when another boy of his neighborhood threw off the discipline and study of the academy. To this great efforts were laid by friends and family of Stonewall Jackson, to his literal examination by the Secretary of War.
Mr. Jackson labored as he had no education, and like Abraham Lincoln spent late hours struggling with the studies at lights out in stoking up the coal fires. His work brought about this:
"he made steady progress until at the end of four years he graduated, seventeenth in a large and distinguished class of over seventy. Among his classmates were Generals McClellan, Foster, Reno, Stoneman, Couch, and Gibbon, of the Federal army ; and Generals A. P. Hill. Pickett, Maury, D. R. Jones, W. D. Smith, and Wilcox, of the Confederate army."
Jackson was not brilliant in studies or education. He was slow to grasp knowledge, but when he learned something it stayed with him.
Examine for a moment then, Thomas Jackson with his classmates. AP Hill was the the trusted extension of Robert E. Lee. Pickett would have his men slaughtered at Gettysburg in a constant leader of the Confederates. But two names stand out in George McClellan in his absolute inability to command an army. General McClellan was adept at building a military, but would not use it, and as a Democrat, he ran for President against Abraham Lincoln and retired to European exile.
The worst would be Marcos Reno, the scoundrel of the Little Big Horn, drunk during that slaughter and exposed in the Shenandoah in being whipped by Col. John Mosby.
Much is made of degrees and graduating ranks, but of the graduates, 16 ranked higher than Thomas Jackson and did not surpass him. In the above notables, none was even close to the abilities of Thomas Jackson. Yes all the mathematics are important as other studies, but it was Stonewall Jackson who became the great Soldier as it was in his character.
On the Southern cause, the two greatest officers were self starters in General Nathan Bedford Forrest and Colonel John Singleton Mosby. Both basically rewrote Cavalry warfare and scouting. That is not to discount Jeb Stuart nor George Custer, but of the myriads of graduates and political appointees, their degrees, education and connections meant absolutely nothing in warfare.
In reality, the two most devasting Generals of the Civil War in Jackson and Phil Sheridan, were men who gained admission, by the forfieture of others in their state who left West Point. Sheridan because of striking a bully was placed on probation so took 5 years to graduate and Jackson who was not an educational prodigy, were the best officers who out performed their superiors.
Thomas Jackson at West Point formulated these maxims in his journal and are worth noting for all wise people formulate like standards through education.
"Through life let your principal object be the discharge of duty.
—Disregard public opinion when it interferes with your duty.
—Endeavor to be at peace with all men.
—Sacrifice your life rather than your word.
—Endeavor to do well everything which you undertake.
—Never speak disrespectfully of any one without a cause.
—Spare no effort to suppress selfishness, unless that effort would entail sorrow.
—Let your conduct towaids men have some uniformity.
—Temperance : Eiit not to dulness, drink not to elevation.
—Silence: Speak but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
—Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
—Frugality : Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself ; waste nothing.
—Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut-off unnecessary actions.
—Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and if you speak, speak accordingly.
—Justice : Wrong no man by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
—Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries as much as you think tliey deserve.
—Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
—Tranquillity : Be not disturbed at trifles. nor at accidents, common or unavoidable. '
• Motives to action:
1. Regard to your own happiness.
2. Regard for the family to which you belong.
3. Strive to attain a very great elevation of character.
4. Fix upon a high standard of action and character.
** It is man's highest interest not to violate, or attempt to violate, the rules which Infinite Wisdom has laid down. The means by which men are to attain great elevation may be classed in three divisions—physical, mental, and moral. Whatever relates to health, belongs to the first; whatever relates to the improvement of tlic mind, belongs to the second. The formation of good manners and virtuous habits constitutes the third.
"Choice of Friends.
1. A man is known by the company he keeps.
2. Be cautious in your selection.
3. There is danger of catching the habits of your associates.
4. Seek those who are intelligent and virtuous; and, if possible, those who are a little above you, especially in moral excellence.
5. It is not desirable to have a large number of intimate friends ; you may have many acquaintances, but few intimate friends. If you have one who is what he should be, you are comparatively happy. " That friendship may be at once fond and lasting, there must not only be equal virtue in each, but virtue of the same kind: not only the same end must be proposed, but the same means must be approved."
''Good-breeding, or true politeness, is the art of showing men by external signs the internal regard Ave have for them. It arises from good sense, improved by good company. It must be acquired by practice and not by books."
There is something not known by most Soldiers or Civilians and that Generals like Stonewall Jackson become Generals due to somehow surviving certain death.
A private and a corporal can hide in battle. A Sargeant leads in the mob. The worst of jobs though were lieutenants, captains and colonels.
These were the officers who led the charges, usually on horses. These were the officers who got to ride up and down the lines telling terrified men to not fear while they hid as he was a target on a horse.
The man who rose through those ranks and became a general was a Soldier.
No one arose faster nor farther than Thomas Jackson due to bravery in the Mexican American War.
"My Heavenly Father has condescended to use me as an instrument in getting up a large Sabbath-school for the negroes here. He has greatly blessed it, and, I trust, all who are connected with it."
Jackson, Mary Anna, 1831-1915. Life and letters of General Thomas J. Jackson
agtG
