| William Lowther Jackson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Portrait photograph of Lt. Governor Jackson | |
| 3rd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
In office 1857–1860 | |
| Governor | Henry A. Wise |
| Preceded by | Elisha W. McComas |
| Succeeded by | Robert Latane Montague |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 3, 1825 Clarksburg, West Virginia |
| Died | March 26, 1890 (aged 65) Louisville, Kentucky |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Elizabeth Jackson (nee Creel) |
| Profession | Attorney, judge, soldier |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States
|
| Service/branch |  Confederate States Army
|
| Years of service | 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank | File:Confederate States of America General.png Brigadier General (CSA) |
| Commands | 31st Virginia Infantry 19th Virginia Cavalry W.L. Jackson's Cavalry Brigade |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Lowther Jackson, Jr. (February 3, 1825 – March 26, 1890) was an American politician and Lieutenant Governor of Virginia who also served as a Confederate general during the American Civil War.
Early life[]
Jackson was born on February 3, 1825, in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). Studying law he was admitted to the Bar of Virginia in 1847.[1] He married Sarah Elizabeth Creel on December 19, 1849, and together they had two or three children. Jackson was a big man, standing about six feet tall and weighting about 200 pounds. He had a shock of dark red hair and piercing blue eyes like those of his famous cousin, Thomas J. Jackson. William Jackson was not known as an eloquent speaker, but he was known as a forceful one.[2] He later became the Commonwealth's Attorney for Harrison County. Entering politics he was elected into the Virginia House of Delegates two times, also serving as Second Auditor of the State and as superintendent of the state library fund. Jackson was the third Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1857 until 1860 and afterwards was made a circuit judge in the 19th district.[3]
Civil War[]
When the civil war erupted Jackson, a proponent of slavery, resigned from his position as judge and enlisted in the Confederate States Army as a Private. Recommended to General Robert E. Lee he quickly was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 31st Virginia Infantry Regiment. Assigned to the command of Gen. Robert S. Garnett he participated in the Western Virginia Campaign and the battles of Rich Mountain and Cheat Mountain. In July 1861 he was promoted to rank of Colonel. In early 1862 he became a Volunteer Aide-de-camp to his cousin, Maj.Gen. Thomas J. Jackson; and participated in his campaigns during the year.[4][5]
William's younger brother George, who was a graduate of West Point (Class of 1856) and served in the U.S Army, became a Colonel in the Confederate Army, too.[6]
In February 1863 William Jackson was authorized to organize a mounted regiment for service behind the enemy lines and he raised the 19th Virginia Cavalry. His regiment immediately joined the Jones-Imboden Raid, first under command of Albert G. Jenkins, then under John D. Imboden. Jackson stayed in western Virginia, being assigned to command a cavalry brigade; fighting in the battles of Bulltown and Cloyd's Mountain. In 1864 he joined Lt. Gen. Jubal Early in the Valley Campaigns from May to October. He received his promotion to Brigadier General on December 19, 1864.[5][7]
On April 15, 1865, six days after Gen. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House, he disbanded his brigade. Refusing to surrender he headed westwards, finally getting a parole in Brownsville, Texas, on July 26, 1865.[2]
Later life[]
Temporarily emigrating to Mexico he returned to what was now Western Virginia just to learn that former Confederate officers were barred from practicing law in the state. He then moved to Louisville, Kentucky where he was allowed to resume his practice of law. Jackson became a circuit judge again and kept this position for his remaining life. He died on March 26, 1890, of Bright's disease in Louisville; and was interred there on Cave Hill Cemetery.[2]
Nickname controversy[]
There is a controversy about the nickname Mudwall. While William L. Jackson has been known as such for a long time it was found by noted historian Garry W. Gallagher that the nickname was originally given to fellow Confederate General Alfred E. Jackson from Tennessee (no family relation). It seems the two were mixed up in the Southern Historical Society Papers in 1906 and the error was involuntarily repeated afterwards. Sometimes the name is even attributed to another (likewise not related) Confederate Brigadier, John K. Jackson. It is also possible that at times the name was attributed to several of the Jacksons simultaneously.[8][9]
See also[]
- Alfred E. Jackson
- Stonewall Jackson
- Virginia in the American Civil War
- West Virginia in the American Civil War
References[]
- ↑ Wickline, John. "The Other Gen. Jackson: William Lowther 'Mudwall' Jackson". http://www.connect-clarksburg.com/connect.cfm?func=view§ion=Famous-People&item=The-Other-Gen-Jackson-William-Lowther-Mudwall-Jackson-2849. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Wittenberg, Eric J.. "Brig. Gen. William L. "Mudwall" Jackson". http://civilwarcavalry.com/?p=2962. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ↑ Evans, Clement A. (2004). Confederate Military History: A Library of Confederate States History, Written by Distinguished Men of the South, Volume 2. The Minerva Group, Inc. p. 131. ISBN 1-4102-1373-0.
- ↑ Webb, Kerry. "Jackson, William Lowther "Mudwall"". http://grapevine.com.au/~kwebb/cong_j.html. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Eicher, John H. and David J. (2001). Civil War High Commands. Standord, CA: Stanford University Press. p. 317. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
- ↑ Rob. "Col George Jackson". https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=136156229. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ↑ Ugaalltheway. "William Lowther "Mudwall" Jackson, Jr". http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8927. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ↑ "You Know of " Old Stonewall " Meet " Old Mudwall " Jackson". http://civilwartalk.com/threads/you-know-of-old-stonewall-meet-old-mudwall-jackson.74415/. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ↑ Walden, Geoffrey R. (1990). "Will the Real "Mudwall" Jackson Please Stand Up?".
Bibliography[]
- Hardway, Ronald V.; On Our Own Soil: William Lowther Jackson and the Civil War in West Virginia's Mountains; Quarrier Press, Charleston WV; October 3, 2003; ISBN 9-7818-9185-2275
External links[]
The original article can be found at William Lowther Jackson and the edit history here.