Beloved Bride: The Letters of Stonewall Jackson to His Wife

by Bill Potter, Stephen Lang (Foreword by)

He called her my beloved esposa because Anna was his dearest love on this earth. Ironically, while the great military exploits of General Stonewall Jackson are studied in military schools the world over and his iron will and stern self-discipline have become legendary, little is said about his remarkable marriage. The real Thomas J. Jackson was a humble Christian and loving husband and father. The tender and instructive letters he wrote to his wife Anna are a model of godly leadership and covenantal faithfulness. From their courtship to their final days together, trace the true story of this remarkable couple through the letters of General Jackson to his bride."

Genres: History, Biography, Civil War, Nonfiction, American Civil War, Memoir, American History

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Joseph Ficklen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vision Forum books are hard to find nowadays but this is an excellent book which I particularly recommend to husbands. I have really come to enjoy reading the letters of godly men, and Jackson is a particularly good example for the way he tenderly leads and encourages his wife through his letters. The story of Thomas and Anna Jackson is a tragic one, the many letters we have between them are due to their long separations during the Civil War, ultimately ending with his wounding and death after the Battle of Chancellorsville. But his letters remain to us as a monument and good example of a man who loved his wife and desired to serve God. It’s strange, but reading a man’s letters makes you feel as if you know him. And I can’t help but feel great emotion when I think of Jackson’s death, leaving behind a wife and five month old baby, and a country whose cause was doomed to defeat. But I must resign myself to the same providence of God which Jackson trusted in, and strive to behold the same glory which he longed to see.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Stonewall Jackson was a Christian, but this volume, though few in pages, reveals his heart for God. There's a disclaimer at the end that notes his imperfections are not clear in this little bit of his life and suggests several other biographies that give a more complete picture of the man and the Christian. Whatever his shortcomings, he loved his wife and little daughter very deeply and fondly, and he was undoubtedly a solid Christian. I'm grateful for this chance to look into a little bit of his life and hope study more of his life.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this forever ago...but it was really good. I've always loved Stonewall Jackson anyway, but I love hearing from great men of God from their own letters.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource. Clearly displays both Jackson’s love for the Lord and for his wife, Anna. As some have said before, a good companion to Robertson’s fuller biography.

[Paola Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a nice surprise of a read. I picked this book just out of curiosity from the title thinking it was an inspirational book about marriage. How much more did I get! It definitely had plenty of word pictures of the dynamics of a Christian marriage and piles of wisdom about God’s intend for it as a portrait of the gospel to the world, however, I encountered far more than just that. I was introduced to the life of a hero and an American legend which I was not aware enough of. One of the greatest insights I got from this book is God’s providence in placing a Christian leader like Jackson in the midst of the bloodiest war in American History. One of my favorite take-aways from this book, it’s Anna, Jackson’s wife’s recount of his campaigns: “Within forty days he had marched 400 miles, fought 4 pitched battles, defeated 4 separate armies, with numerous combats and skirmishes, sent to the rear 3,000, 500 prisoners, killed and wounded a still larger number of the enemy, and defeated or neutralized forces 3 times as numerous as his own upon his proper theater of war.” Further I like to take away his regard to this as he replies to Robert E. Lee’s remarks while Jackson laid of is death bed after a mortal wound: -Lee: “I should have chosen for the good of our country to have been disabled in your stead… I congratulate you upon the victory which is due to your skill and energy.”…To which Jackson replied: “General Lee is very kind, but he should give praise to God”. There is actually an account of a revival in the midst of the civil war. I am grateful that God strategically used Jackson’s influential life along that of many others in his church during that time to bring the gospel to the hundreds of thousands of men facing death in the battlefields. These quotes from Jackson give a little glimpse on his heart for the advance of God’s kingdom in the middle of war. This he said after the ordered destruction of property to help neutralize the enemy: “-If the cost of the property may have been expended in disseminating the gospel of the prince of peace. How much greater good might have been expected.” And here’s Anna’s recount of the last service attended by Jackson: ” -In front of the tent, under the canopy of heaven, were spread out in dense masses the soldiers, sitting upon benches or standing. The preaching was earnest and edifying, the singing one grand volume of song, and the attention and good behavior of the assembly remarkable.” I do really recommend this book and any other books on the subject of the life of Stonewall Jackson for your own personal enrichment and for the inspiration of children, specially boys in their endeavor to become men of character, valor and eternal perspective. Here some more of my take-aways from this book to whet your appetite for wisdom. Stonewall Jackson’s large collection of maxims and quotes are highly regarded and sought after:

“L.t. Jackson cast aside all his former reluctance and excuses and devoted his life to seeking the glory of God and obedience to biblical precepts."

“How delightful it is to feel that we have such a friend, who changes not! The Christian recognition of God in all his works greatly enhances his enjoyment.”

“You must not be discouraged at the slowness of recovery. Look up to him who giveth liberally for faith to be resigned to his divide will, and trust Him for that measure of health which will most glorify Him and advance to the greatest extend your own real happiness.”

“See if you cannot spend a short time looking out your window into space, and meditating upon heaven, with all its joys unspeakable and full of glory and think of what the savior relinquished in glory when he came to earth.”

“He showed that in Adam’s fall we had been raised from the position of servants to that of children of God. He represented man as redeemed being at the day of judgement, standing nearest to the throne, the angels being farther removed. And why? Because is sitting upon the throne he is a nearer relation to Christ than the angels. And his being the righteousness of God himself”.

“Try to live near Jesus and secure that peace which flows like a river.”

“Look, men, there is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer!”

“I know that the first brigade was the first to meet and pass our retreating forces – to push on with no other aid than the smiles of God..”

“Was not such a heavenly vision enough to make him forgetful of his sufferings? He beautifully and forcibly described the death of the righteous, and as forcibly that of the wicked”.

“What I need is a more grateful heart to the “Giver of every good and perfect gift.”

“Over the next 2 months Jackson would rewrite the military history books in an audacious and brilliant campaign that is still studied in the military schools around de world.”

“Your sickness give me great concern, but so live that it, and all your trials, may be sanctified to you, remembering that our light afflictions which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

“There was something very striking in his prayers. He did not pray to men, but to God. His tones were deep, solemn, tremulous. He seemed to realize that he was speaking to Heaven’s King.”

“Make our nation that people whose God is the Lord, is my earnest and oft-repeated prayer. While we attach so much importance to being free from temporal bondage, we must attach far more to being free from the bondage of sin.”

“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth: a stranger, and not thine own lips.”

“We can sympathize with her, and I wish I could comfort her, but not human comfort can fully meet her case; only the Redeemer can, and I trust that she finds Jesus precious, most precious, in this her sad hour of trial.”

“How kind is God to us! Oh that I were more grateful!”

“How delightful will be our heavenly home, where everything is sanctified!”

“He also rejoiced that the Sabbath days could now be kept regularly and deeply appreciated the preaching and prayer meetings of the army.”

“Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.”

[Courtney Shevchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It is a fantastic read for anyone who is a fan of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson! =]

[Fran Fisher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost never stop reading a book before the end, even ones I don't particularly like. Rather silly, I guess, but that's my pattern. I made an exception for this book. I read about one fourth of the book, and that was the end of it for me. It seemed saccharine sweet, not at all consistent with the tough reputation of this colorful man. That would seem the purpose of the book, of course, to add another dimension to his personality. However, it was so completely and diametrically opposed to the legends as to be improbable. The author's religious, "preaching" narrative style, and Jackson's apparently passionate religious views also seemed very overdone. How could such a dedicated warrior reconcile the brutal nature of conflict with such religious passion as his cornerstone? I could understand, and maybe even sympathize with some ambivalence, but there wasn't much portrayed. I'm afraid I just couldn't get beyond all that enough to finish the book.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really interesting. I had known that Stonewall Jackson was religious -- that was one of the things I loved most about him. However, I wasn't quite prepared for HOW religious he was. It was very apparent in his letters to his wife. I do have to admit, the biggest reason that I didn't give this 5 stars has to do with something I am always trying to get my students NOT to do. I am not what I would consider a feminist. However, the way Jackson talked to his wife seemed a little condescending to a 21st century woman. I know I can't judge someone from the past by modern standards, and it was so apparent that he loved her dearly, but some of it was just a little hard for me. Having said that, the letters were really sweet and I really do have a lot of admiration for the man.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book. These are letters from Jackson to his wife while he was away due to war. It is odd hearing such sweet sentiments come not only from a man, but a soldier. Our way of speech is also so different today. Another thing that stuck me was his constant understanding of God's provision and sovriegnty. He was thankful to God for every "little" thing. He flirted, corrected, guided, and expressed deep love for his wife all the while reminding her to look to God. These letters came from a man who had faults but what shines through on this read of him is his love for his wife, country and His all powerful God.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As difficult as it is to read about a young man dying early—leaving behind a wife and baby girl—Stonewall Jackson’s tragic death was beautiful. He clearly saw Heaven open before him, and God’s sovereign will was accomplished through his life.

[Pat Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for any Civil War buff.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful letters from a godly man to his wife. I'd read the biography of Stonewall Jackson written by Anna Jackson, but wanted to read this book. Everyone knows General Jackson was a fierce, disciplined leader and soldier; these letters show his tender heart for his wife and his fear and love of the Lord. I loved Jackson's writing style: simple, but heartfelt. Almost poetic, but not in a soppy-poetry manner--just written with marked earnestness and conviction, defined by the love he was unashamed to demonstrate through his writing, to Anna.

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book! The language and tone that Jackson uses with his beloved is magnificient and worthy of emulation. The manner in which he discusses God and God's Providence is generally above reproach and reflects a profound humility and grasp of the nature of self and the Holiness of God. Five stars!

[Don Martin]

Wonderful book that takes you into the private moments of a man that has been very much misrepresented by history. This book was wrote at the request of Jackson's daughter and Jackson's wife continued the work even thought their daughter died during the course of her writing the book. Excellent book.Read it twice, so far.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book with several letters he wrote to his wife during the war. I knew he was a spiritual man but did not realize how deeply spiritual he was. God was at the head of everything he did and said. I wish I had been privileged to know him.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring

[Lettie Laferriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read but very insightful to the character of the man and glimpses of the lifestyle of the Civil War soldiers.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as the title says, the letters of Stonewall Jackson to his wife. Those, and also the history of Jackson told by William Potter.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My awe and love for this amazing couple was just made more profound after reading this endearing little book. Splendid.

[Nan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bias, poorly written book that I would not waste time reading.