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Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Mexican War ALS to Captain

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Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Mexican War ALS to Captain H.L. Scott, with Comments from Gideon Pillow

Jackson, Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” (1824-1864). ALS, 2pp, Mexico, November 11, 1847. Addressed to Capt. H.L. Scott, Actg. Asst. Adj. Gen. States that he has but 25 artillery men for drill, of which 24 are needed as drivers. "There are eleven men of the new Regiment (Genl. Pillows Division) attached and for duty making a total for duty of forty two men, eight of the last named have been instructed in the duties of Artillery soldiers and some of them are very excellent drivers, exceedingly important in a battery. I have the honor to request the following eight be transferred permanently to this battery..." listing the eight men he would like to have. He then goes on to suggest: "When recruits arrive a number equal to those now asked for can be attached to the new Regiments. Those proposed to be transferred now not being well drilled as Infantry but efficient as Artillery soldiers. It will be therefore beneficial to keep them with the Battery turning over eight recruits in their stead." He also requests thirty additional men for temporary duty until their replacements arrive.

General Gideon Pillow does not seem to want to give up these eight men. He dockets on verso: "I do not approve of so much of the application as contemplate the permanent transfer of the 8 named privates. I think it would be better to supply the wants of the Battery (Field) with recruits expected soon to arrive in this city."

Thomas Jonathan Jackson graduated from USMA in 1846, a class which would furnish officers to both the Union and Confederate forces. In 1852 Jackson resigned his commission to become an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute. When the Civil War erupted, he became a colonel of Virginia forces. His first assignment was to take command of Harpers Ferry. He was replaced there by J.E. Johnston and was promoted to brigadier general in June. Shortly after he distinguished himself at the first Battle of Manassas Junction, and earned the sobriquet "Stonewall," that would remain with him for the rest of his (too short) life. He earned another promotion to major general in October, and quickly became something of a celebrity. The following season he was sent to the Shenandoah where he helped protect Richmond against three Federal Armies, including Fremont's and Shields' before joining Lee against McClellan around Richmond. Jackson seems to have performed best with an independent command, but certainly contributed to Lee's successes. In May, 1863, he was wounded by his own men after going out on reconnaissance and died about a week later of pneumonia which set in as he was recovering from the amputation of his left arm. Lee would write that Jackson may have lost his left arm, but he (Lee) had lost his right arm.

Gideon Johnson Pillow (1806-1878) was a Tennessean who for a time practiced law in Columbia (TN) with partner James Polk (the future President). Pillow was appointed brigadier general in 1846 for Mexican War service by Polk. Pillow did not see eye-to-eye with Winfield Scott, but Polk backed him up when necessary. Upon secession of Tennessee, Pillow was again commissioned brigadier general, this time in the Confederate Army. He was second in command of Fort Donelson in early 1862. When Grant besieged the Fort, the commander passed the command to Pillow, who in turn passed it to General Simon Buckner. The first two commanders escaped the fort before it fell. But it meant the end of Pillow's field command. He was assigned to recruitment in Tennessee and as commissary general of prisoners in early 1865. At war's end, Pillow was bankrupt, and went back into law with Isham Harris, former Governor of the state, as his partner.
Condition Report: Ink a bit light, separation beginning along folds. The paper is fairly light, making it more fragile. Fortunately it has been transcribed, minimizing the necessity of handling.

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15 Nov 2019
USA, Cincinnati, OH
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[ translate ]

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, Mexican War ALS to Captain H.L. Scott, with Comments from Gideon Pillow

Jackson, Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” (1824-1864). ALS, 2pp, Mexico, November 11, 1847. Addressed to Capt. H.L. Scott, Actg. Asst. Adj. Gen. States that he has but 25 artillery men for drill, of which 24 are needed as drivers. "There are eleven men of the new Regiment (Genl. Pillows Division) attached and for duty making a total for duty of forty two men, eight of the last named have been instructed in the duties of Artillery soldiers and some of them are very excellent drivers, exceedingly important in a battery. I have the honor to request the following eight be transferred permanently to this battery..." listing the eight men he would like to have. He then goes on to suggest: "When recruits arrive a number equal to those now asked for can be attached to the new Regiments. Those proposed to be transferred now not being well drilled as Infantry but efficient as Artillery soldiers. It will be therefore beneficial to keep them with the Battery turning over eight recruits in their stead." He also requests thirty additional men for temporary duty until their replacements arrive.

General Gideon Pillow does not seem to want to give up these eight men. He dockets on verso: "I do not approve of so much of the application as contemplate the permanent transfer of the 8 named privates. I think it would be better to supply the wants of the Battery (Field) with recruits expected soon to arrive in this city."

Thomas Jonathan Jackson graduated from USMA in 1846, a class which would furnish officers to both the Union and Confederate forces. In 1852 Jackson resigned his commission to become an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute. When the Civil War erupted, he became a colonel of Virginia forces. His first assignment was to take command of Harpers Ferry. He was replaced there by J.E. Johnston and was promoted to brigadier general in June. Shortly after he distinguished himself at the first Battle of Manassas Junction, and earned the sobriquet "Stonewall," that would remain with him for the rest of his (too short) life. He earned another promotion to major general in October, and quickly became something of a celebrity. The following season he was sent to the Shenandoah where he helped protect Richmond against three Federal Armies, including Fremont's and Shields' before joining Lee against McClellan around Richmond. Jackson seems to have performed best with an independent command, but certainly contributed to Lee's successes. In May, 1863, he was wounded by his own men after going out on reconnaissance and died about a week later of pneumonia which set in as he was recovering from the amputation of his left arm. Lee would write that Jackson may have lost his left arm, but he (Lee) had lost his right arm.

Gideon Johnson Pillow (1806-1878) was a Tennessean who for a time practiced law in Columbia (TN) with partner James Polk (the future President). Pillow was appointed brigadier general in 1846 for Mexican War service by Polk. Pillow did not see eye-to-eye with Winfield Scott, but Polk backed him up when necessary. Upon secession of Tennessee, Pillow was again commissioned brigadier general, this time in the Confederate Army. He was second in command of Fort Donelson in early 1862. When Grant besieged the Fort, the commander passed the command to Pillow, who in turn passed it to General Simon Buckner. The first two commanders escaped the fort before it fell. But it meant the end of Pillow's field command. He was assigned to recruitment in Tennessee and as commissary general of prisoners in early 1865. At war's end, Pillow was bankrupt, and went back into law with Isham Harris, former Governor of the state, as his partner.
Condition Report: Ink a bit light, separation beginning along folds. The paper is fairly light, making it more fragile. Fortunately it has been transcribed, minimizing the necessity of handling.

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Time, Location
15 Nov 2019
USA, Cincinnati, OH
Auction House
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