How Did Jackson's Appointment To A Separate Command

Resignation

Preferment has no allurements to compensate me for its trials and temptations. My only ambition is to be useful. — Thomas J. Jackson

There were mixed feelings about Jackson’s appointment to a separate command. Some thought—and the head of the Bureau of War, Robert Kean, was among them—that Jackson might not perform as well with a separate command as he had as a subordinate. The decision was generally received with favor by the public, however. “He will prove himself an instance of ‘the right man in the right place,’” stated the Richmond Daily Dispatch. Public opinion meant nothing to Jackson, all he was concerned about was getting to Winchester as soon as possible. He and his staff arrived a little after midnight, having made
the last 18 miles of the journey on horseback down the Valley Turnpike, and checked into the Taylor Hotel, early in the morning, November 5.

His situation was not a comfortable one. He was essentially a commander without a command. He had been given the responsibility of defending 6000-square miles of vital geography which had very few defenses and fewer defenders. With the threat Federal forces posed to the area, it became clear he had to work quickly. If one Federal column came east from Romney and another came south through Martinsburg, they could easily unite and force a retreat on the part of the Confederate forces which might turn into a disastrous rout. His task was clear: He had to defend an extremely large area against superior numbers on two fronts. His only hope was to keep the two Federal forces separated and off balance.

On November 5, 1861, Jackson’s forces were in no condition to carry out this task.
He had three widely dispersed militia brigades. The units were disorganized and dispirited and most of the men were armed with antiquated flintlock muskets—weapons which had been effective a century earlier but which were inadequate for this war. The cavalry at Jackson’s disposal consisted of 500 horsemen under the command of Colonel Turner Ashby. There too there was little discipline or organization. He also had a few guns, but no gunners to operate them. All totaled, Jackson had 1700 men at his command for the defense of the Shenandoah Valley. A call for recruits produced another 1300 men. But many more were needed if Jackson was to carry out his objective.

Colonel John Preston was sent by Jackson to Richmond with an urgent request for more trained and experienced troops. First on the list was the Stonewall Brigade. The Stonewall Brigade was immediately ordered to the valley—to the great irritation of General Joseph Johnston. The Stonewall Brigade was delighted to be reunited with their beloved General. But not even the addition of the famous brigade was enough to calm Jackson’s fears. More were needed and Jackson requested Congressman Alexander R. Boteler to lobby in Richmond in his
behalf.

During this time another significant addition was made to Jackson’s staff. His name was Jim Lewis, a free black man who volunteered to assist the General in his daily concerns. Lewis became a familiar and beloved figure around Jackson’s headquarters. Alexander Boteler compared Jim to Jackson’s horse, Little Sorrel:

The servant and “Old Sorrel” being about the same color . . . their respective characters were in a concatenation accordingly. For they were equally obedient, patient, easy-going and reliable; not given to devious courses nor designing tricks; more serviceable than showy and , altogether, as sober-sided a pair of subordinates as any Presbyterian elder with plain tastes and a practical turn, need desire to have about him. Both man and horse seemed to understand their master thoroughly and rarely failed to come up fully to all his requirements. (1)