''Stonewall Jackson's Arm''

By Crusader1307

Thomas Johnathan Jackson, nicknamed ''Stonewall'' for His bravery and determination at The American Civil War Battle of Bull Run (1861), is still studied and revered even today. General in charge of the highly effective ''Foot Cavalry'' Brigade, many speculate that His death at The Battle of Chancellorsville (May, 1863) caused a Southern loss at pivotal The Battle of Gettysburg, several months later. It was at The Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia - that His well known ''luck'' fell thru. While out personally scouting Federal Position in the early morning hours of May 3rd, He was shot by accident. His own Troops, nervous and exhausted after 3-days of non-stop fighting, had no idea Jackson was ''to Their front''. Fatally wounded, The General was taken to a Field hospital where His Surgeons determined that His left arm was too badly damaged to be saved. It was amputated. Jackson was moved to a nearby private Farm/Residence. The General actually seemed to be recovering. But after several days, pneumonia set in. In 6-days, Thomas Jackson died. His Wife was with Him and conveyed His body back to Lexington, Virgina for burial. But ANOTHER burial had already happened.....namely The General's Arm!

Aides determined that Jackson's Arm needed a ''proper burial''. Retrieving the severed limb, it was buried ''on The Field'', with a small wooden Marker. Orders were given for it to NOT be recovered. Years later, Confederate Veterans and Civilians, so honored The General with a proper stone Marker. But in this too, come a bit of a mystery. Many claimed that the current spot of The Memorial is incorrect. in the 1880s and 1890s SEVERAL Monuments were so erected by Those who ''claimed to have been at The Hospital and knew where The arm was buried''. Today, the current location at Guinea Station, Virginia (not far from where The Field Hospital was erected) - is given as authentic. After over 100 years of Visitors seeking a piece of ''History'', The Monument was badly damaged. In 2006, a newer Memorial was erected....to General ''Stonewall'' Jackson's ''Arm''.