County Named for Confederate Hero General "Stonewall" Jackson 1824-1863

Barnard Elliott Bee, Jr., who gave Jackson his nickname, grew up partly in Texas, the Handbook of Texas says. Born in Charleston on February 8, 1824, he moved with his family to the Republic of Texas in 1836, where his father served as secretary of state. He graduated from West Point in 1845 and was brevetted for gallantry at Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec. Appointed a Confederate brigadier general in June 1861, he fell mortally wounded at First Manassas and died on July 22. The Confederate congress confirmed his rank more than a month later.

What the plaque says

Gen. Barnard E. Bee, a Texan, gave him the famous sobriquet in first Battle of Manassas. Jackson was rallying his men for a charge as other units retreated. Bee, seeing him cried to his men, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer." In Battles of Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill, Hood's famous Texas Brigade fought under his command. After Gaines Mill when Jackson saw the strong Union fortified position which the Texans had overrun, he - not known to give praise-said, "The men that took this position were soldiers indeed." Texas in the Civil War Texas made an all-out effort for the Confederacy after a 3 to 1 popular vote for secession. 90,000 troops, famed for mobility and daring, fought on every battlefront. A 2,000-mile frontier and coast were successfully defended from Union troop invasion and savage Indians. Texas was the storehouse of Western Confederacy. Wagon trains laden with cotton - life blood of the South - crossed the state to Mexico to trade for medical supplies, clothing, military supplies. State and private industry produced guns, ammunition, wagons, pots, kettles, leather goods, salt, hospital supplies. Wives, sons, daughters, slaves provided corn, cotton, cattle, hogs, cured meats to the Army, giving much, keeping little for themselves. Erected by The State of Texas 1963.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Stonewall County — steps away
• Old Glory — 10 mi
• Peacock — 10 mi
• The Mackenzie Trail — 13 mi