J's final report

This is J's final report for the year in writing class. He is presenting this written and also giving an oral presentation of it this Monday. Thought you might like to see it...


General Thomas Jonathan Jackson

Everyone probably knows about the Civil War, but less people
have probably heard about one of the most famous generals in our
history. His name was Thomas Jonathan Jackson. He had many
nicknames, but the one that he mostly used was "Stonewall". One
time in combat, when he was fighting very courageously, one of his
followers looked at him and said, "Look at Jackson. There he stands
like a stone wall!" Let me tell you more about this famous man.

Jackson was born on January 21, 1824 in Clarksburg, West
Virginia. His father's name was Jonathan, his mother's name was
Julia. He had one brother and two sisters. After his father died, his
mother married a second time in 1830. His step-father was
not very rich, therefore Jackson was sent to Uncle Robinson, a
former slave. Later on, when Jackson was seven years old, his
mother died. He was given to Uncle Cummins, his mother's brother.
Warren, his brother, now a lad of 14, persuaded Jackson to leave
home.

Stonewall went to Westpoint Acadamy in 1842. He stayed
there four years. After his training, he was sent to fight against
Mexico. Eventually, his career as a soldier would bring him to
be a general in the Civil War.

Jackson greatly loved the Lord and sought to follow Him
in all ways of scripture. He had much trouble speaking and
praying in public. But, he felt that it was his duty to pray before the
congregation. Thus, he kept trying for several years until he became
one of the best speakers in the church. Jackson led a colored
Sunday School, which when Stonewall was at war he missed greatly.
Before he left for the Civil War, he and his wife read the fifth chapter
of 2 Corinthians together.

When Thomas was at war he always started the morning with
prayer and worship with his ranks. Additionally, he had prayer and
thanksgiving after a victory had been won. One of his most famous
quotes on praying without ceasing was this: " When I take a draught
of water, I always pause, as my palate receives the refreshment, to
lift up my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the water of life.
Whenever I drop a letter into the box at the post office, I send a
petition along with it for God's blessing upon its mission and upon
the person to whom it is sent. When I break the seal of a letter just
received, I stop to pray to God that He may prepare me for its
contents and make it a messenger of good. When I go to my class-
room and await the arrangement of the cadets in their places, that
is my time to intercede with God for them. And so of every other
familiar act of the day."

When he was wounded he trusted the Lord to take care of him.
He said he would not have his arm restored, unless it was his
Heavenly Father's pleasure. Lieutenant Ewell, Jackson's able helper
said, regarding Stonewall's Christianity, "If that is religion, I must
have it."

When he was able to go back to war, his own loyal men
tragically shot him. It would be his last time on the battleground,
where he had fought so many attacks. One of God's providences
was that the drs. told him that he would die on the Lord's Day. He
told them he had always wanted to die on the Sabbath. A few
moments before he died, he cried out, "Order A.P. Hill to prepare for
action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly! Tell Major Hawks'--"
then he stopped. But his last words were, "Let us cross over the
river and rest under the shade of the trees;' and then his spirit went
to Zion, the eternal Jerusalem. He died on May 10, 1863, at the age
of 39 years.

Stonewall Jackson was a godly man who was thoughtful
and brave. He was one of the special people who loved Jesus with
all of his heart. He did what he could to keep our nation from
corruption. Jackson was a good example of being a follower of the
Lord, even in troubleous times. He was a special man with a
specific purpose. General Thomas Jonathan Jackson was, and still
is, an example of true Christian religion to us all.