Faith and Leadership

It was a cold, wet, rainy evening as General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson set out with other officers on a mission to locate the Union Army’s shattered right flank. The panting breath and the trot of the horse’s hooves is all that could be heard. Stonewall clutched the reigns of his horse tightly in his hands. Unfortunately, after a day fighting, the Union’s position had been lost. Little did Jackson know what waited for him and his men on his own lines.

Although Stonewall Jackson is a name familiar to many Americans, few know the real story of his life and the magnificent role he played in the Confederate Armed Forces. This influential leader in the War Between the States was a man of superb character. His love and trust in God was so fervent that he dwelt securely on the fact that God was watching over him. His trust in the almighty providence of God is almost beyond comprehension, being quoted as saying, "Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave." This remarkable General led the confederacy through a number of battles, many of them won due to Jackson’s uncommon skill in trickery and surprise attacks. What happened to this general? And what lessons can he teach?

On April 21, 1861, Virginia seceded from the union. From this secession rose one of America’s bravest, most courageous, yet most calm, respectable generals in all of American history; his name, Thomas Jonathan Jackson, better known as “Stonewall” Jackson. According to a quote by a fellow officer of Jackson’s, (found in Discovering Stonewall Jackson written by the staff of the Stonewall Jackson house in Lexington Virginia), he says, “From the calm, collected (person that he appears to be), he becomes the fiery leader. Passing like a thunderbolt along the front he is everywhere in the thickest of the fight, holding his lines steady, however galling the fire, and rallying his men to charge where the danger is greatest and the pressure the heaviest…” Jackson was a deeply committed Christian who understood that he depended on God for his very next breath, no matter where he was. God knew when his time to pass from this earth would come; therefore there was no need for fear.

In the first battle against Lincoln’s union army in Manassas, Virginia July 1861 General Jackson received the nickname “Stonewall” from General Bernard. As his men began to retreat from the ceaseless fire of the Yankees, General Bernard pointed up to General Jackson and his brigade, “There stands Jackson like a stone wall, rally behind the Virginians!” (Recorded by the staff of the Stonewall Jackson House, (Discovering Stonewall Jackson). From then on General Jackson was known as “Stonewall” and his brigade, “the Stonewall Brigade.”

On one occasion Stonewall and his troops were outnumbered three to one; however, despite the immense imbalance of troops, Jackson and his men defeated all three armies which the president sent to protect the Shenandoah Valley! “With not more than 17,000 men, he defeated 60,000 Union troops in a series of lighting marches and brilliant battles.” (World Book Encyclopedia). This great feat was accomplished through sly, crafty moves and fake marches on the union in unexpected places so as to overwhelm the union forces. From that time on “Stonewall” was feared for his tricky moves and crafty maneuvering through the union army.

Out of all the battles Stonewall fought, his last battle at Chancellorsville, though his last, I believe was his greatest. Stonewall and General Robert E. Lee decided to divide the confederate army in half and launch a surprise attack. This plan was carried out and the surprise shattered two miles of the union army’s right flank. On May 2, 1863 Stonewall and other confederate officers went behind enemy lines after dark in an effort to locate the traumatized union army in hopes of launching another attack. Having seen no sign of the union army or where they could attack, Stonewall and his men returned to their own lines. Upon their arrival, men from the confederate army mistook Stonewall and his men for union Calvary. They opened fire on Stonewall and his men hitting the general twice in his left arm. Jackson was immediately transported to a field hospital where his left arm was unfortunately amputated. Upon hearing the news concerning General Jackson, Robert E. Lee said, (World Book Encyclopedia), “He has lost his left arm; but I have lost my right arm.” As bad as his wounds were, General Jackson did not die from them. While in the hospital he caught pneumonia and became very ill; his illness is what ultimately led to his death. On May 10, 1863, in the field hospital in Guiney Station, Virginia Stonewall Jackson, “crossed over the River,” eight days after being shot. His body was brought back to his hometown of Lexington, Virginia for burial.

Through this man’s tactical moves against the troops President Lincoln sent his way, Stonewall remained firm literally to the death. General Jackson was a man through whom many lessons can be learned. Although his life was shrewdly brought to an abrupt end, the way he lived can still be an influence to all. He was a completely selfless leader, a leader who could be counted on to make wise decisions in the heat of the moment; his basis for these selfless actions being his faith. General Jackson possessed a strong faith in God that is rarely seen in our nation today. His life held the theme that when God is on my side of whom or what shall I be afraid. Not even when bullets were flying all around him, cannon balls bursting in front and behind, and thousands of young men dropping dead around him would he let his fear derail his faith. He clung steadfast to God and never let go until his last breath. He stood firm upon the authority of the word of God, no matter the cost. Good leadership, then, starts with faith. If we realize that our very life is in God’s hands, no matter where we are, then our life will be seen as a vessel through which God accomplishes His purpose. Men are to be leaders. A leader who is humble and willing to make wise decisions, not based on his own comfort, but in spite of it, will be a man everyone will want to follow. God blessed General Jackson for his faith and trust in Him and used this general in a mighty way until it was his turn, along with many other men that died on those great battlefields, to enter into paradise with his Lord and Savior. In a similar way, we should be willing to be used by God in whatever capacity of leadership He chooses, regardless of the cost.

Josh