How Did Jackson's Appointment To A Separate Command
Resignation
Preferment has no allurements to compensate me for its trials and temptations. My only ambition is to be useful. — Thomas J. Jackson
There were mixed feelings about Jackson’s appointment to a separate command. Some thought—and the head of the Bureau of War, Robert Kean, was among them—that Jackson might not perform as well with a separate command as he had as a subordinate. The decision was generally received with favor by the public, however. “He will prove himself an instance of ‘the right man in the right place,’” stated the Richmond Daily Dispatch. Public opinion meant nothing to Jackson, all he was concerned about was getting to Winchester as soon as possible. He and his staff arrived a little after midnight, having made …show more content…
He had three widely dispersed militia brigades. The units were disorganized and dispirited and most of the men were armed with antiquated flintlock muskets—weapons which had been effective a century earlier but which were inadequate for this war. The cavalry at Jackson’s disposal consisted of 500 horsemen under the command of Colonel Turner Ashby. There too there was little discipline or organization. He also had a few guns, but no gunners to operate them. All totaled, Jackson had 1700 men at his command for the defense of the Shenandoah Valley. A call for recruits produced another 1300 men. But many more were needed if Jackson was to carry out his objective.
Colonel John Preston was sent by Jackson to Richmond with an urgent request for more trained and experienced troops. First on the list was the Stonewall Brigade. The Stonewall Brigade was immediately ordered to the valley—to the great irritation of General Joseph Johnston. The Stonewall Brigade was delighted to be reunited with their beloved General. But not even the addition of the famous brigade was enough to calm Jackson’s fears. More were needed and Jackson requested Congressman Alexander R. Boteler to lobby in Richmond in his
Preferment has no allurements to compensate me for its trials and temptations. My only ambition is to be useful. — Thomas J. Jackson
There were mixed feelings about Jackson’s appointment to a separate command. Some thought—and the head of the Bureau of War, Robert Kean, was among them—that Jackson might not perform as well with a separate command as he had as a subordinate. The decision was generally received with favor by the public, however. “He will prove himself an instance of ‘the right man in the right place,’” stated the Richmond Daily Dispatch. Public opinion meant nothing to Jackson, all he was concerned about was getting to Winchester as soon as possible. He and his staff arrived a little after midnight, having made …show more content…
He had three widely dispersed militia brigades. The units were disorganized and dispirited and most of the men were armed with antiquated flintlock muskets—weapons which had been effective a century earlier but which were inadequate for this war. The cavalry at Jackson’s disposal consisted of 500 horsemen under the command of Colonel Turner Ashby. There too there was little discipline or organization. He also had a few guns, but no gunners to operate them. All totaled, Jackson had 1700 men at his command for the defense of the Shenandoah Valley. A call for recruits produced another 1300 men. But many more were needed if Jackson was to carry out his objective.
Colonel John Preston was sent by Jackson to Richmond with an urgent request for more trained and experienced troops. First on the list was the Stonewall Brigade. The Stonewall Brigade was immediately ordered to the valley—to the great irritation of General Joseph Johnston. The Stonewall Brigade was delighted to be reunited with their beloved General. But not even the addition of the famous brigade was enough to calm Jackson’s fears. More were needed and Jackson requested Congressman Alexander R. Boteler to lobby in Richmond in his