JACKSON, Thomas J. ''Stonewall''. Autograph letter signed (''T. J. Jackson'') to Col. S. Bassett French (1820-1901), Caroline County, Virginia, 16 March 1863.
JACKSON, Thomas J. "Stonewall". Autograph letter signed ("T. J. Jackson") to Col. S. Bassett French (1820-1901), Caroline County, Virginia, 16 March 1863.
Two pages, 122 x 192mm. (small fold tear at margin). Housed in a custom clamshell case.
Two months before his death, "Stonewall" Jackson writes a letter of support for William E. "Grumble" Jones. Addressing S. Bassett French, an aide de camp to Robert E. Lee, in connection with an unnamed charge against Jones. Writing because he “had recommended his appointment,” Jackson believed it his “special duty to get him out of the service if he was unworthy of it”, adding his hopes “that the case will soon be disposed of by a Court Martial. If the charge is true it is in conflict with his past history before his promotion. He says that after the investigation, I will have no cause to regret the confidence that I have reposed in him. But until this matter shall be cleared up, I deem it best not to take any further action towards having his appointment confirmed. I feel deeply interested in the case, I hope that if innocent the court will by its action make it manifest and that you will have no cause to regret the interest you have taken in the case." The unarmed charges leveled against Jones may be in connection with his long-running feud with his commander, J.E.B. Stuart, who had actively opposed Jones’ promotion to Brigadier General in October 1862. Their simmering dislike finally came to a boil and in late 1863, Jones issued a rebuke to Stuart, who in turn charged Jones with insulting a superior officer. A court martial convicted Jones, but Lee offered a reprieve for the talented officer, assigning him to a command in West Virginia.
Jackson would die from wounds sustained at Chancellorsville two months later, depriving the Confederacy of one if its most skilled tacticians on the eve of the Gettysburg Campaign. It would be French, the recipient of this letter, who would deliver the news of Jackson’s demise to the Confederate capital at Richmond. Jones too would be killed in action the following year: at Piedmont, Virginia on 5 June 1864.
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PROPERTY FROM THE ROGER D. JUDD COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS, DOCUMENTS & MANUSCRIPTS
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JACKSON, Thomas J. "Stonewall". Autograph letter signed ("T. J. Jackson") to Col. S. Bassett French (1820-1901), Caroline County, Virginia, 16 March 1863.
Two pages, 122 x 192mm. (small fold tear at margin). Housed in a custom clamshell case.
Two months before his death, "Stonewall" Jackson writes a letter of support for William E. "Grumble" Jones. Addressing S. Bassett French, an aide de camp to Robert E. Lee, in connection with an unnamed charge against Jones. Writing because he “had recommended his appointment,” Jackson believed it his “special duty to get him out of the service if he was unworthy of it”, adding his hopes “that the case will soon be disposed of by a Court Martial. If the charge is true it is in conflict with his past history before his promotion. He says that after the investigation, I will have no cause to regret the confidence that I have reposed in him. But until this matter shall be cleared up, I deem it best not to take any further action towards having his appointment confirmed. I feel deeply interested in the case, I hope that if innocent the court will by its action make it manifest and that you will have no cause to regret the interest you have taken in the case." The unarmed charges leveled against Jones may be in connection with his long-running feud with his commander, J.E.B. Stuart, who had actively opposed Jones’ promotion to Brigadier General in October 1862. Their simmering dislike finally came to a boil and in late 1863, Jones issued a rebuke to Stuart, who in turn charged Jones with insulting a superior officer. A court martial convicted Jones, but Lee offered a reprieve for the talented officer, assigning him to a command in West Virginia.
Jackson would die from wounds sustained at Chancellorsville two months later, depriving the Confederacy of one if its most skilled tacticians on the eve of the Gettysburg Campaign. It would be French, the recipient of this letter, who would deliver the news of Jackson’s demise to the Confederate capital at Richmond. Jones too would be killed in action the following year: at Piedmont, Virginia on 5 June 1864.
Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM THE ROGER D. JUDD COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL LETTERS, DOCUMENTS & MANUSCRIPTS
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Time, Location
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