Thomas (“Stonewall”) Jackson Leadership
Thomas (“Stonewall”) Jackson (1824-1863)
Confederate general in the American Civil War and deputy to Robert E. Lee.
After several great victories, he (pictured right) was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville
(1863).
For more detail see...
The Battle
of Gettysburg in the History Highlights section.
Why was he a great
leader?
1. Determined and courageous
The death of his parents, and his limited education, didn’t stop him becoming an army officer.
At the first Battle of Bull Run (1861) his stout resistance to the enemy advance earned
him the nickname “Stonewall”.
He led from the front and continually risked his life for his men, his courage increasing as the danger
rose.
His favourite maxim was “never take counsel of your fears”.
2. Integrity
Jackson (pictured right in 1862) was a devout Christian (openly praying with his men
before battle) who practised what Jesus preached: love, self-control and humility.
He was a good man and always did his duty so his men trusted and loved him.
3. Servant leader
He would do anything for his men.
He was not only kind but also tough enough to instil discipline, ruthlessly punishing
incompetence and disobedience.
But he got on much better with ordinary soldiers than his senior officers (he unfairly arrested three of his
generals for incompetence!)
4. Self-confidence
He never doubted his ability (with God’s help) to defeat the enemy and had a very
positive, ‘can do’ attitude.
5. Speed and communication
Jackson (pictured right as a young man) knew that speed and surprise (demonstrated by his famous “foot
cavalry”) were vital weapons in battle.
He clearly communicated his orders, but his obsession with secrecy (to
confuse the enemy) meant that even his senior officers didn’t know his plans.
This proved disastrous at the Battle of Chancellorsville, when he was fatally injured in a
secret, quick attack
6. Imagination, simplicity and energy
He showed great imagination in finding new ways to defeat the enemy, but they were never complicated.
His battle plans were simple (attack the enemy’s weaknesses and avoid its strengths and
frontal attacks) and quickly carried out, seizing the initiative and never giving it away to the enemy.
He boldly attacked the enemy’s right flank at the Battle of Chancellorsville that only
failed because of delay caused by a huge storm and Jackson’s death (pictured right).
He was never happy until the enemy had been totally destroyed. “War means fighting”, he
said.
7. Patience and caution
He always waited before picking the right time to attack.
When he took risks, they were calculated and necessary ones
He never tried to achieve the impossible.
8. Knowing the enemy
His cavalry always spied on the enemy, using this information and his intuition to make brilliant judgements
about the enemy and its morale.
He was obsessed with observing its every movement to get inside the mind of his
opponents.
He thought of every possible attack from them, so he was never surprised.
9. Good people
He picked a brave and skilful army and he had the humility to realize he could do nothing without its
support.
He had:
- two brilliant cavalry commanders, Turner Ashby (pictured right above) and Jeb
Stuart (pictured right)
- wonderful infantry (called the Stonewall Brigade) that Jackson called the “foot
cavalry” because of their speed.
10. Co-ordinator
He brilliantly combined the three parts of his army, infantry, cavalry and artillery.
11. Devoted deputy
He was devoted to his boss, Robert E.
Lee (pictured right), and always obeyed his orders.
“I would have followed him blindfolded”, he said.
12. Thoroughness and priorities
He considered even the smallest detail necessary for victory and concentrated on what was most important.
13. Happiness
He loved his job.
A friend described him as “the happiest man I know”.
Key quotes on leadership and
management
Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy, if possible.
My duty is to obey orders.
Key quote on
strategy
To move swiftly, strike vigorously and secure all the fruits of victory is the secret of successful war.
Key quote on
religion
Religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed.
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