Description:

Two weeks before 27-year-old Stonewall Jackson arrived at the Virginia Military Institute to commence his teaching career, resigning his commission as Major in the U.S. Army, he writes to the Adjutant General of the Army of his plans

Autograph Letter Signed "T.J. Jackson / 1st Lt Bvt Maj. 1st Intry," 1p, 7.75" x 9.5". Henderson, Jefferson County, N.Y., July 31, 1851. To Bvt Major General Roger Jones, Adjutant General, U.S. Army. On pale blue stationery with slight nick at the left edge. Two horizontal folds, wrinkling at upper fold, neither touching signature. Fine condition.

In full: "I have in compliance with the wish of the Superintendant of the Virginia Military Institute, postponed my visit to Europe: As he informed me that the Department had authorized him to say to me, that I could use my leave of absence as I might prefer. I shall be in Washington by the 10th of next month. I am General, Very Respectfully, / Your Obdt Servt. T.J. Jackson 1st Lt Bt. Maj. 1st Intry."

On April 22, 1851, Jackson had written a letter to VMI Superintendent Col. Francis H. Smith. In part, "Your letter of the 28th inst. informing me that I have been elected Prof. of Natural and Experimental Philosophy and Artillery Tactics, in the Virginia Military Institute, has been received ƒ I hope to be able to meet the Board on the 25th of June next, but fear that circumstances, over which I have no control, will prevent my doing do before that time. For your kindness in endeavoring to procure me a leave of absence for six months, as well as for the interest you have otherwise manifested in my behalf, I feel under strong and lasting obligations. Should I desire a furlough of more than one month commencing on the 1st of July next, it would be for the purpose of visiting Europe. I regret that recent illness has prevented my giving you an earlier answerƒî

On August 13, 1851, two weeks after writing the letter here offered, Jackson arrived at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. The following week, on August 21st, Jackson wrote his sister, Laura Jackson Arnold, in part, "I am much pleased with my situation. I have commenced my military duties and am reviewing on of my text books. My health has much improved since you heard me say good by. I sent you a pamphlet a few days since, it was by the request of my old Physician with whom I was residing in the North. He appeared to take a deep interest in me and to be interested in those who were interested in your brother. From him I have learned many important truths concerning health. His names is Lowry Barney. I felt home sick at bidding adieu to his estimable family. Mrs. B. said that I did not appear like a stranger but like a relative, they were more kind than I could have desiredĔ

Dr. Lowery Barney, a Henderson, New York, physician noted for his restorative treatment for stomach and digestive troubles, was treating Jackson in Henderson at the time he wrote the letter here offered.

From the VMI Archives: "Jackson taught at the Virginia Military Institute from August 1851 until the outbreak of Civil War in April 1861. He was responsible for the Department of Natural Philosophy (in modern terms, roughly equivalent to Physics; it included astronomy, mechanics, acoustics, optics, and other sciences) and also instructed and drilled the cadets in artillery tactics. He was neither popular with cadets, many of whom ridiculed and disliked him, nor considered to be a particularly able teacher ƒ Unfortunately, Major Jackson, as he was known at VMI, was a mediocre teacher--although highly intelligent, he could not convey the concepts to students. This inability, along with his humorless demeanor, soon branded Jackson as an unpopular faculty member, one who was the target of many student pranksƒ."

"From his first year at VMI, Jackson was the subject of many cadet pranks. His ungainly appearance, strictness, and lack of humor provided fuel for 'much juvenile wit & merriment.' Cadets delighted in drawing caricatures on the blackboard in Jackson's classroom--often a sketch depicting an officer with enormous feet (his exceptionally large shoe size inspired 'Square Box,' one of his several nicknames; others were 'Old Jack,' 'Tom Fool,' 'Old Hickory'). Other incidents included throwing spitballs in class, making noises when his back was turned, dropping a brick as he passed underneath a barracks window, and pulling linchpins from cannon wheels during artillery drill.Francis H. Smith, VMI's Superintendent during Jackson's era, wrote the following in his "History of the Virginia Military Institute": "As Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, Major Jackson was not a success. He had not the qualifications needed for so important a chair. He was no teacher, and he lacked the tact required in getting along with his classes ƒ His genius was in the Science and Art of War. He found a field for the display of this genius when the war opened in 1861.Í"

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