A Guide to the Stonewall Jackson Papers 1844-1915
A Collection in
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Collection Number MS 0102
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Virginia Military Institute ArchivesPreston Library
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia 24450-0304
USA
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7279
Email: archives@vmi.edu
URL: http://www.vmi.edu/archives
© 2001 Virginia Military Institute
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Diane B. Jacob
Administrative Information
Access
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Researchers are required to use photocopies of the original documents.
Preferred Citation
Stonewall Jackson Papers, MS 0102, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.
Acquisition Information
The bulk of the papers in this collection was donated to the VMI Archives by the Lee-Jackson Foundation in 1989. A small number of items in the collection were donated by others.
Alternative Form
A significant part of this collection available is available in full-text format on the VMI Archives website at http://www.vmi.edu/archives.aspx?id=4931
Biographical/Historical Information
Scope and Content Information
The collection consists primarily of the personal papers of Civil War General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (b. 1824 d. 1863). The bulk of the letters date from the pre-Civil War period and concern professional, personal and domestic matters, including many in which Jackson writes about his religious faith, his concerns about health and diet, and his family. The collection provides insight into Jackson's personality and philosophy, and presents a portrait of the man as he was in the years before he gained national fame as a wartime military leader. A small percentage of the documents date from the Civil War period and are directly related to Jackson's Confederate Army service.
The collection includes ca. 160 items of Jackson's outgoing correspondence, 1844-1863, spanning his cadetship at West Point; his service in the United States Army (1846-1851) including his participation in the Mexican War; his years as a faculty member at the Virginia Military Institute (1851-1861); and his career in the Confederate States Army. The bulk of the correspondence is addressed to his sister, Laura Ann (Jackson) Arnold. Other correspondents include Margaret Junkin Preston, and CSA Generals Joseph E. Johnston and Daniel Harvey Hill. Other series include miscellaneous incoming correspondence; miscellaneous Civil War reports, orders and dispatches; and documents associated with Jackson.
In addition to Jackson's personal papers, the collection contains the allied papers of Jackson's second wife, Mary Anna (Morrison) Jackson (ca. 143 items); his daughter Julia Jackson Christian (ca. 10 items); and his sister Laura Ann Jackson Arnold (ca. 115 items).
Contents List
All are original letters (ALS) written by Jackson unless noted otherwise.
- Cadet, United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, 1844-1846
- Box-folder
1:1
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at West Point, NY, 1844 September 8fragment
- Box-folder
1:2
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at West Point, NY, 1845 February 10fragment
- Box-folder
1:3
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at West Point, NY, 1845 August 2fragment
- Box-folder
1:4
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at West Point, NY, 1845 November 25fragment
- Box-folder
1:5
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at West Point, NY, 1846 April 23fragment
- Box-folder
1:1
- United States Army Career .
Mexican War, 1846-1848- Box-folder
1:6
Letter to James Jackson, written on board ship James L. Day, 1846 September 22
- Box-folder
1:7
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Pt. Isabel, Texas, 1846 September 25
- Box-folder
1:8
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Veracruz, Mexico, 1847 March 30
- Box-folder
1:9
Letter to Brig. General Thomas S. Jessup, written at Veracruz, Mexico, 1847 March 30
- Box-folder
1:10
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Jalapa, Mexico, 1847 April 22
- Box-folder
1:11
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Jalapa, Mexico, 1847 May 25
- Box-folder
1:12
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Mexico City, 1848 February 28
- Box-folder
1:13
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Mexico City, 1848 March 23
- Box-folder
1:14
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at National Palace, Mexico, 1848 April 10
- Box-folder
1:15
Letter to General Jones, written at Mexico City, 1848 May 20
- Box-folder
1:6
- United States Army Career .
Post-Mexican War, 1848-1851- Box-folder
1:16
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Governor's Island, NY, 1848 August 26
- Box-folder
1:17
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Carlisle Barracks, PA, 1848 September 5
- Box-folder
1:18
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1849 January 1
- Box-folder
1:19
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1849 February 2
- Box-folder
1:20
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1849 April 27
- Box-folder
1:21
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1849 June 12
- Box-folder
1:22
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1849 July 2
- Box-folder
1:23
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1850 April 1
- Box-folder
1:24
Letter to James Jackson, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1850 April 24
- Box-folder
1:25
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Plattsburgh, NY, 1850 May 10
- Box-folder
1:26
Letter to S. Lansing, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1850 May 20
- Box-folder
1:27
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Hamilton, NY, 1850 July 6
- Box-folder
1:28
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Fort Ontario, NY, 1850 August 10
- Box-folder
1:29
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at West Point, NY, 1850 September 3
- Box-folder
1:30A
Letter to Francis H. Smith, written at Ft. Meade, Florida, 1851 February 25
- Box-folder
1:30B
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Ft. Meade, Florida, 1851 April 2
- Box-folder
1:31A
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Ft. Meade, Florida, 1851 April 22
- Box-folder
1:31B
Letter to Francis H. Smith, written at Ft. Meade, Florida, 1851 April 22
- Box-folder
1:16
- Professor at Virginia Military Institute 1851-1861
- Box-folder
1:32
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1851 August 20
- Box-folder
1:33
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1851 October 8
- Box-folder
1:34
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 January 16
- Box-folder
1:35
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 February 7
- Box-folder
1:36
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 February 21
- Box-folder
1:37
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 April 10
- Box-folder
1:38
Letter to George P. Terrill, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 May 1
- Box-folder
1:39
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 May 14
- Box-folder
1:40
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 June 5
- Box-folder
1:41
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia, 1852 July 12
- Box-folder
1:42
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 September 7
- Box-folder
1:43
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 October 9
- Box-folder
1:44
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 October 25
- Box-folder
1:45
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 November 11
- Box-folder
1:46
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1852 December 11
- Box-folder
1:47
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1853 February 1
- Box-folder
1:48
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1853 April 1
- Box-folder
1:49
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1853 April 15
- Box-folder
1:50
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1853 June 6
- Box-folder
1:51
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia, 1853 August 3
- Box-folder
1:52
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1853 October 19
- Box-folder
1:53
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1853 November 30
- Box-folder
1:54
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 February 14
- Box-folder
1:55
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 March 3
- Box-folder
1:56
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 April 7
- Box-folder
1:57
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 April 11
- Box-folder
1:58
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 May
- Box-folder
1:59
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 May 2
- Box-folder
1:60
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 June 12
- Box-folder
1:61
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 July 1
Includes portion written by Elinor Junkin Jackson
- Box-folder
1:62
From Elinor Junkin Jackson to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Healing Springs, Virginia, 1854 July 24
- Box-folder
1:63
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1854 November 14
- Box-folder
1:64
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 February 20
- Box-folder
1:65
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 March 20
- Box-folder
1:66
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 April 4
- Box-folder
1:67
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 June 1
- Box-folder
1:68
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 June 18
- Box-folder
1:69
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at "Uncle Alfred's", 1855 August 10
- Box-folder
1:70
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 September 3
- Box-folder
1:71
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 October
- Box-folder
1:72
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 October 6
- Box-folder
1:73
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 November 3
- Box-folder
1:74
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 November 13
- Box-folder
1:75
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1855 November 3
- Box-folder
1:76
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 month and day unknown
- Box-folder
1:77
Letter to aunt, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 January 14
- Box-folder
1:78
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 February 18
- Box-folder
1:79
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 March 31
- Box-folder
1:80
Letter to nephew, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 April
- Box-folder
1:80
Letter to nephew, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 April
- Box-folder
1:81
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 May 12
- Box-folder
1:82
Letter to aunt, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 May 19
- Box-folder
1:83
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 June 6
- Box-folder
1:84
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at New York City, 1856 July 7
- Box-folder
1:85
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at onboard ship Asia, 1856 July 18
- Box-folder
1:86
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Naples, Italy, 1856 July 18
- Box-folder
1:87
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 October 25
- Box-folder
1:88
Letter to aunt, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 October 27
- Box-folder
1:89
Letter to nephew, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 December 1
- Box-folder
1:90
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1856 December 6
- Box-folder
2:1
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1857 February 26
- Box-folder
2:2
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1857 May
- Box-folder
2:3
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Rockbridge Alum Springs, Virginia, 1857 August 11
- Box-folder
2:4
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1857 November 1
- Box-folder
2:5
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1857 December 19
- Box-folder
2:6
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 February 8
- Box-folder
2:7
Letter to brother, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 May 1
- Box-folder
2:8
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 May 1
- Box-folder
2:9
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 May 22
- Box-folder
2:10A
Letter to niece, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 June 7
- Box-folder
2:10B
Letter to John Lyle Campbell, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 June 7
- Box-folder
2:11
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 June 19
- Box-folder
2:12
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at New York City, 1858 July 21
- Box-folder
2:13
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1858 October 23
- Box-folder
2:14A
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1859 February 19
- Box-folder
2:14B
Letter to J. Jaquelin Smith, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1859 April 11
- Box-folder
2:15
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1859 May 9
- Box-folder
2:16
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, 1859 August 13
- Box-folder
2:17
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1859 August 27
- Box-folder
2:18
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1859 September 13
- Box-folder
2:19
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1859 October 31
- Box-folder
2:20
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1859 December 12
- Box-folder
2:21
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, no month or day
- Box-folder
2:22
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, January 28
- Box-folder
2:23
Letter to niece, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, February 25
- Box-folder
2:24
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, April 16
- Box-folder
2:25
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, April 21
- Box-folder
2:26
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, May 1
- Box-folder
2:27
Letter to niece, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, May 7
- Box-folder
2:28
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, June 4
- Box-folder
2:29
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, June 30
- Box-folder
2:30
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Northampton, Massachusetts, 1860, July 21
- Box-folder
2:31
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Northampton, Massachusetts, 1860, August 4
- Box-folder
2:32
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, September 3
- Box-folder
2:33
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, September 24
- Box-folder
2:34
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, December 1
- Box-folder
2:35
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1860, December 29
- Box-folder
2:36
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1861, February 23
- Box-folder
2:37
Letter to Laura Jackson Arnold, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1861, April 6
- Box-folder
2:38
Letter to niece, written at Lexington, Virginia, 1861, April 13
- Box-folder
1:32
- Civil War, 1861-1863
- Box-folder
2:39
Letter to James Jackson, written at Harper's Ferry [West] Virginia, 1861 April 30
- Box-folder
2:40A
Letter to Francis H. Smith, written at Harper's Ferry [West] Virginia, 1861 May 5
- Box-folder
2:40B
Letter to Gov. John Letcher, written at Harper's Ferry [West] Virginia, 1861 May 25
- Box-folder
2:41
To Major ?, written at ?, 1862 January 2
- Box-folder
2:42
To Gen. Joseph Johnston, written at Unger's Store, HQ, Valley District, 1862 January 13
- Box-folder
2:43
To Rev. Francis McFarland, written at Winchester, Virginia, 1862 February 11
- Box-folder
2:44
To Gen. Joseph Johnston, written at Winchester, Virginia, 1862 February 18
- Box-folder
2:45
To Gen. D. H. Hill, written at Winchester, Virginia, 1862 March 4
- Box-folder
2:46
To Colonel ?, written at Winchester, Virginia, 1862 March 7
- Box-folder
2:47
To Colonel Pendleton, written at near Mt. Jackson, Virginia, 1862 March 20
- Box-folder
2:48A
To Margaret Langhorne, written at HQ, Valley District, Virginia, 1862 April 16
- Box-folder
2:48B
To Francis H. Smith, written at HQ, Valley District, Virginia, 1862 April 18
- Box-folder
2:48C
To Francis H. Smith, written at HQ, Swift Run Gap, Virginia, 1862 April 28
- Box-folder
2:49A
Col. Pendleton, to Francis H. Smith, written at HQ, Valley District, Virginia, 1862 May 3
- Box-folder
2:49B
To Alexander R. Boteler, written at near Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1862 May 19
- Box-folder
2:49C
To Francis H. Smith, written at HQ, Valley District, Virginia, 1862 May 29
- Box-folder
2:50
To Colonel ?, written at Port Republic, Virginia, 1862 June 6
- Box-folder
2:51
To Robert E. Lee, written at Brown's Gap, Virginia, 1862 June 11
- Box-folder
2:52
To Revd. William S. White, written at Gordonsville, Virginia, 1862 June 20
- Box-folder
2:53
To Gen. D. H. Hill, written at White Oak Bridge, Virginia, 1862 July 10
- Box-folder
2:54A
To Revd. Francis McFarland, written at Staunton, Virginia, 1862 July 31
- Box-folder
2:54B
To Margaret Junkin Preston, written at Bunker Hill, Berkeley Co., Virginia, 1862 August
- Box-folder
2:54C
To Francis H. Smith, written at near Gordonsville, Virginia, 1862 August 7
- Box-folder
2:55
To Gen. Trimble, written at Bristow 1862 August 27
- Box-folder
2:56
To Miss Fairfield, written at Sharpsburg 1862 September 16
- Box-folder
2:57
To General Cooper, written at HQ, Valley District, 1862 September 22
- Box-folder
2:57
To General Cooper, written at HQ, Valley District, 1862 September 22
- Box-folder
2:58
To [unknown], written at HQ, Valley District, 1862 October 15
- Box-folder
2:59A
To Revd. Francis McFarland, written at Clarke Co., Virginia, 1862 October 15
- Box-folder
2:59B
To John T. L. Preston, written at HQ, Valley District, Virginia, 1862 November 18
- Box-folder
2:60
To Gen. Pendleton, written at [unknown] 1862 December 7
- Box-folder
2:61
To Gen. D. H. Hill, written at HQ, 2nd Corps, ANV 1862 December 8
- Box-folder
2:62
To Maj. Wells J. Hawks, written at HQ, 2nd Corps, ANV 1863 January 7
- Box-folder
2:63
To Isabella Morrison Hill, written at Caroline Co., VA 1863 January 24
- Box-folder
2:64
To Capt. Barringer, written at Corbins Farm, Caroline Co., VA 1863 February 11
- Box-folder
2:65
To Gen. Chilton, written at HQ, 2nd Corps, ANV, 1863 February 11
- Box-folder
2:66
To Mitchell and Tyler, written near Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1863 April 15
- Box-folder
2:67
To Gen. D. H. Hill, 1863 unknown date, 7:45 a.m.
- Box-folder
2:68
To Major ?, date unknown
- Box-folder
2:39
This series contains miscellaneous incoming correspondence and consists of 13 items.
This series consists primarily of VMI paychecks endorsed on reverse by Jackson. It also contains a bankshare certificate (1858) and an estate document (1863 June 5).
This series consists primarily of incoming and outgoing correspondence from the post-Civil War era.
Miscellaneous documents relating to Jackson's daughter, Julia.
This series includes correspondence to and from Laura Jackson Arnold, Stark W. Arnold, Jonathan Arnold, and others.