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Hey everyone! Recently there was a TL about "Stonewall Jackson" joining the Union instead of the Confederacy and going on to fight at the Battle of Shiloh. Though I enjoyed the TL while it lasted, I also began working on my own version drawing upon different biographies to create a more cogent picture of why Jackson would side with the Union (turned out to be easier than initially anticipated...). Though I have a rough idea of how things would turn out up until the end of 1861, I'm struggling with the rest of the war and would greatly appreciate some thoughts!

Anyways without further ado here's a rough TL (very vague not comprehensive by any means!):


Bayonet Jackson!
October 22, 1854 POD: Ellie Jackson nee Junkin, wife of Thomas J. Jackson gives birth to a healthy baby boy (1) however complications quickly arise resulting in her experiencing severe haemorrhaging. Ellie dies shortly thereafter leaving Jackson both a widower and a father. Overjoyed at the birth of his son, Jackson is also devastated at the loss of his wife. In the coming months he will draw ever closer to his former wife’s family for support as he grieves and tries to raise his son. Echoing the Biblical Patriarch Jacob following the death of his wife Rachel in Genisis the boy is named Benjamin Eli Jackson and will grow to be quite healthy.

Jackson’s period of mourning for his wife is tempered by his son’s continued health and growth. In order to provide for the needs of his son, Jackson moves in with his wife’s family allowing his son to be taken care of by Ellie’s two sisters Maggie and Julia Junkin. Though, over the course of the next few years he will grow quite close to Ellie’s sister Maggie Junkin, the two will never marry due to such a practice being prohibited by Presbyterian Church law. Jackson will also grow even closer to his father-in-law George Junkin in this period seeing him as the father he never had. These affections will be returned and Jackson will remain an honorary member of the Junkin family for the rest of his life (2).

During his period of mourning Jackson continues to teach at VMI and though his effectiveness does suffer due both to the strain of being a father and the grief of being a widower, he maintains his job and pours himself out to his students becoming more empathetic and purposeful in his activities both at VMI and in the local Presbyterian Church.

1856: Roughly two years after his wife’s death Jackson begins to move on. Realizing that he will never be able to marry Maggie Junkin he begins to look for a new wife to help him raise his son. George Junkin encourages him to take the European vacation he had always wanted to take, leaving Benjamin with them. Jackson leaves and immediately requires a new joie de vivre (3). During his stay in Edinburgh, Jackson is struck by a young woman in a Presbyterian Church service. Upon being introduced to Elle Macpherson, Jackson is struck not only by her beauty, but by her strong faith and personality. He spends an extra week in Edinburgh meeting her family and travelling with her. When he leaves he promises to write her and does so regularly informing her of his travels across Europe. At the end of his European tour, Jackson is so enamoured with the young Elle he alters his itinerary to return to Edinburgh and propose to Elle. She accepts and the two are married in Scotland before heading back to Virginia to begin a new life.

Upon arriving in Virginia, the new Mrs. Jackson is immediately welcomed by the Junkins as well as young Benjamin. Though all are surprised at the rapidity of their courtship, they all welcome Elle into the family and applaud her courage to cross the Atlantic and begin a new life in America. Ben particularly takes well to his new mother and before the year is out the Jackson’s have moved into a new home in Lexington as Thomas resumes his work at VMI. During this time the Jacksons remain quite close to the Jenkins and regularly visit and entertain members of the family.

1857: 1857 sees Elle Jackson begin to have a considerable influence on her husband. Possessed of a strong personality and equally strong views on abolitionism, Elle support’s Jackson’s efforts to run a Sunday school for Lexington’s black population, all the while gently challenging and encouraging Jackson to think biblically about the issue of slavery and abolitionism. Though the Jackson’s Sunday school does gain them some criticism from Lexington’s White population, it earns them the abounding respect and gratitude of the blacks. By the end of the year Jackson’s views on slavery have changed enough that he frees his slaves and employs them as workers in his house, or elsewhere in the community.

The Jacksons also take frequent trips into western Virginia as Jackson seeks to acquaint his second wife with the country in which he grew up and with his remaining family in his sister Laura. Elle is enthralled by the rugged beauty of the Appalachian mountain country and is received well by Laura Arnold, Jackson’s sister.

1858-1859: Jackson continues to teach at VMI becoming a renowned professor on campus. Fearful of a coming war between the states, Jackson begins to look into purchasing land in the North, however his wife encourages him instead to focus on being an influence in Lexington and so he does. In 1859 Jackson is further overjoyed by the complication free birth of a healthy daughter. Named Mary Eleanor Jackson the girl will grow up quite well and prove to be a source of comfort to her mother. The Jacksons continue to be quite close to the Junkin family during this time and both Jackson and George Junkin remain firm supporters of remaining within the Union (4).

1860: As tensions between the states rise to a fever pitch over the election of 1860 Jackson strongly voices his support for the Union and his belief that the differences between North and South could and should be worked out through compromise. These beliefs put him in considerable hot water with many of his students. Unable to support the Southern Democratic candidate, Jackson instead supports John Bell in the hopes that the Union could be preserved peaceably (5). Following Lincoln’s election in November Jackson’s worst fears are realized as South Carolina secedes from the Union and the country hurtles down the road to civil war.

Jan-March 1861: As the country begins to tear itself apart, Jackson echoes the sentiments of his mentor and father figure George Junkin in calling for the Union to be preserved and for Virginia to remain in the Union. Though he is unable to sway many of his students or his fellow townspeople, some do listen to him, strengthening the Union cause.

April 1861: Dismayed by Virginia’s choice to secede from the Union and join the CSA, Jackson remains undecided as to his course in the coming conflict. Though he strongly identifies with Virginia and the concept of states’ rights, the influence of his mentor George Junkin and his wife convinces him to leave the state and head north. Quietly, he resigns his post at VMI, packs up his belongings and heads north on April 19th 1861 along with the Junkin family (6).

Though he had initially planned to settle with the Junkins in Pennsylvania, while en route Jackson hears of Unionist sentiment in the Western counties of Virginia. Sensing an opportunity to remain loyal to both his state and his country, Jackson decides to proceed to Wheeling to support any Unionist efforts there. Bidding farewell to his family, who remain with the Junkins, Jackson proceeds personally to Wheeling where he is immediately put to use training volunteer militia intent on keeping the Western counties in the Union. While training the West Virginian Militia, Jackson sends for his family to join him in Wheeling. He also writes and appeals to his sister Laura and her family to move to Wheeling to be safer but she refuses.

May 1861: As the American civil war begins Jackson is reinstated into the Army as he continues to train the troops of the 1st Loyal Virginia Infantry Regiment. Though many see him as an excellent commander and deserving of high rank, some within the Union army question his loyalty to the Union. This uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s loyalty dissuades several governors from offering him a higher rank. Indeed even in West Virginia, Jackson’s loyalties are used by his rival Benjamin F. Kelley to try and see to it that he is not elected Colonel of the 1st Loyal Virginia regiment. However by the time the regiment is officially organized Jackson has already established himself as the core of the regiment and wins the election handily due to his reputation and martial acumen.

Despite this controversy Jackson continues to drill and train his troops to a level unmatched elsewhere in the Union army in preparation for what Jackson foresees as a long and bloody conflict with the Southern states. During this time Jackson becomes quite enamoured with the concept of bayonet charges and impresses this upon his men earning him the additional nickname of “Bayonet Jackson” or “Bayonet Jack”.

June 1861: Having largely lurked in the shadows so far, Jackson emerges onto the National scene with the Battle of Philippi on June 9th. Using his knowledge of the area (7), Jackson marches his force of several regiments including the 1st Loyal Virginia Infantry, some 1500 men, behind the Confederate positions of George A. Porterfield. The arrival of Jackson’s force results in Porterfields’ paltry Confederate force being surrounded on the early morning of June 9th.(8) Panic ensues and, Jackson immediately takes command of the force and orders a charge into the Confederate camp living up to his nickname of “Bayonet Jack”. This charge coupled with artillery support from other Union units quickly leads to the surrender of the Confederate force and the first Union victory of the war.

Having demonstrated his ability on the battlefield, albeit on a small scale, Jackson quickly becomes a welcome advisor to his brigade commander, General Morris during the West Virginia campaign.

July 1861: The Battle of Rich Mountain occurs and ends with the same result as OTL. Jackson’s presence in Morris’ brigade leads to a more decisive battles of Laurel Hill, Corrick’s Ford, and heavier losses for the Confederates.

The First Battle of Bull Run sees Brigadier General A.P Hill (9) save the day by coming to the aid of Evans, Barnard and Bee’s command. Though his intervention was not as decisive as Jackson’s was in OTL, and a good deal more costly to his brigade (10), it manages to stabilize the Confederate line long enough for Johnson and Beauregard to move more Brigades into position and drive the Union force back.

July-October 1861: Jackson continues to serve admirably with the 1st Loyal Virginia Regiment despite the incompetence of his superiors often preventing him from securing more victories. During this time Jackson continues to drill his men and impress upon them the need to continue the fight. With the end of the men’s three month terms, Jackson immediately sets about recruiting men for the 3 year regiment gaining many of his veteran troops back to form the basis of his more permanent regiment. Furthermore, due to the fame garnered by his role in the victory at Philippi Jackson quickly becomes a recruiting draw in West Virginia as men flock to fight under “Bayonet Jack” in the hopes of securing some modicum of glory for themselves.

In addition to being recognized by the rank and file, Jackson’s talents are recognized by the Army as well as he is promoted to Brigadier General, given command of several more regiments in addition to his own, and tasked with garrisoning the town of Romney. Never one to rest on his laurels, Jackson immediately begins planning to further secure Romney by launching an offensive towards Winchester and up the Shenandoah Valley. Unlike Rosecrans’ planned offensive, Jackson’s plan, involving only a few thousand troops, is seen as an acceptable risk (especially as Jackson markets it as a necessary act to secure West Virginia)(11). Despite the poor state of the troops under his command and the trepidations of his superiors Jackson gathers enough supplies and proceeds to march towards Winchester in late October.

November 1861-February 1862: Jackson manages to succeed in taking Winchester and securing the northern portion of the Shenandoah valley for the Union. His offensive further underscores the calls of the valley’s residents for additional protection from the Confederate Army. A brigade under General AP Hill arrives soon after and quickly confronts Jackson in the hopes of driving him from Winchester before the worst of Winter weather sets in. In a close fought battle Jackson’s troops manage to defeat Hill outside Winchester and remain in control. Jackson’s victory at Winchester causes his star to rise even higher and results in him being called to Washington to testify before Congress. Here, Jackson delivers an excellent oration calling for an aggressive strategy in the Shenandoah Valley that sways many members of the War Board. However lingering political disputes prevent him from gaining immediate support for his offensive.

Jackson returns to Winchester in late December and continues to incessantly drill his troops for the next confrontation with Confederate forces. In addition Jackson campaigns eagerly for more reinforcements in the hopes of launching a springtime offensive down the Shenandoah, writing numerous letters to gain support. Eventually, given Jackson’s successes at Philippi, Corrick’s Ford, and now Winchester as well as the opportunities to secure and reinforce North Western Virginia due to his seizure of Winchester, support begins to mount for an offensive into the Shenandoah. Jackson’s requests are honored in the New Year and more troops and supplies are allocated to him raising his strength to around 10,000. Furthermore, an operation is planned in conjunction with Rosecrans to seize the entire Shenandoah valley with Jackson advancing from the North and Rosecrans advancing from the South...

To be continued?

NOTES
1: POD is the survival of the boy, in OTL both the boy and Jackson's first wife die. I debated having Ellie Junkin survive as well but opted for a more decisive POD as her politics are unknown.

2: Even in OTL Jackson and the Junkin family remained quite close. Jackson's relationship with Maggie Junkin mirrors OTL and is indeed more intense due to the survival of Benjamin.

3:Jacksons' trip to Europe in OTL had a similar effect, in TTL he is more inclined to find love due to his desire to find a mother for Benjamin.

4: During the run up to the war in OTL Jackson was a firm Unionist at VMI and in Lexington, though he feared the coming of civil war. In TTL his ties with the Junkins only accentuate his Unionism as well as the influence of his wife.

5:In OTL Jackson grudgingly endorsed Breckenridge, TTL causes his politics to shift slightly.

6: In OTL George Junkin left Virginia shortly after it voted to secede from the Union. Rumor has it that after his wagon crossed the border into Maryland, George Junkin wiped the wheels of the "heathen soil" and vowed never to return. In OTL he took part of his family and implored Jackson to do so, in TTL due to a closer relationship and the politics of Jackson's wife, Jackson agrees.

7: Jackson's sister and only living blood relative in OTL Laura Arnold lived only a little ways down the road in Beverly and Jackson frequently visited the area in OTL and moreso in TTL. I don't think it's a stretch to say he has some knowledge of the area.

8:In OTL the 1st Loyal Virginia and other units under the command of B.F Kelley got lost and were late to the battle. Jackson's combination of local knowledge and hard marching gets them there in time turning the "Philippi Races" into a complete disaster for the Confederates.

9: As was mentioned in the other thread, A.P. Hill is the logical replacement for Jackson on the Confederate side. For the sake of the scenario assume that he performs in a similar manner to Jackson during the events of May/June 1861. Due to Jackson's absence Hill maintains a brigade command during the army's reorganization.

10: Here things begin to differ for the Confederates, Jackson's response at Bull Run (setting up on the reverse slope of the hill and engaging in an artillery duel with the Union) was very much so a decision influenced by his background and expertise in Artillery, in TTL Hill who was not in the Artillery is going to have a different response. Given his actions and propensities in OTL I see him rushing into battle to shore up the failing Confederate lines. Though this stems the Union advance and allows the Confederates to bring up more troops and eventually turn the tide, it's far more costly to Hill's brigade. Nevertheless despite higher casualties, Hill's intervention saves the day for the Confederates at Bull Run.

11: Probably my biggest stretch so far is that the Army actually signs off on Jackson's plan to take Winchester (an obvious desire on his part due to his OTL propensity of regarding the best defense to be a good offense). I read in one biography of Gen. Fredrick Lander that in OTL B.F. Kelley was given the option of moving against Winchester, but I haven't found confirmation anywhere else. Rosecrans also proposed to take Winchester with a force of some 20,000 men but was turned down due to fear that it would lead the Confederates to mass a similar amount of men in the vicinity and thereby dilute efforts in Eastern Virginia. Jackson's TTL proposed offensive is much smaller and marketed as establishing a forward line of defense IMO addressing concerns command might have about such an offensive. But I'm no expert...


Thoughts on this section? Questions? Comments?

Where does it go from here? Does Jackson get the men and support he needs for his proposed offensive into the Shenandoah? If so does he defeat Hill?

Just a hint: I have Jackson doing both things and eventually marching East to join Lil' Mac in the siege of Richmond. Thoughts?
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