- Published: September 28, 2022
- Updated: September 28, 2022
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
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Stonewall Jackson’s Military Style In leading his men, Stonewall Jackson was generally more aggressive with his strategies than his contemporaries. According to Clausewitz, being aggressive and attacking has a positive purpose as opposed to defending which “ has a passive purpose” (1). Therefore, he believed that defense was the best strategy for a weak army, but if an army is sufficiently strong, attacking and being aggressive is the best strategy (2). Jackson’s early victories were attributed to his ability to attack and consistently push back the Union army (3). He was also successful at occasionally playing a defensive strategy when one was needed. Thus, he effectively displayed Clausewitz’ theories of attack and defense strategies. Jackson was also very skilled at mobilizing his troops and getting them to a location with great speed. Because he was able to get to the right spot at the right time, he was able to obtain important victories for the Confederacy (4). His ability to maneuver with great speed is something that Jomini believes is critical to success on the battlefield. In his work, “ Summary of the Art of War,” he explains that “ rapid movement” and “ striking in the most decisive direction” is one of the most important factors in the outcome of a battle (5). Additionally, Jackson and Lee both held that obtaining specific enemy territories was critical to the army’s overall success. This is something that Jomini believed was also critical in determining the outcome of a war. It is obvious that Jackson and other Civil War leaders studied Jomini and, in fact, his work “ became the text book for the conduct of the American Civil War” (6). Sun Tzu’s work, “ The Art of War,” deals heavily with the importance that terrain plays in the outcome of a battle. Much of Jackson’s success was due to his exceptional knowledge of the surrounding terrain as well as his ability to utilize the terrain to his advantage. Jackson was also extremely secretive with his strategies and often used the element of deception to confuse his enemies (7). Sun Tzu explains the importance of deception and states that “ all warfare is based on deception” (8). In addition to using the terrain to one’s advantage and using deception and secrecy, he also understood the importance of good leadership and management. Jackson exemplifies this because he had the ability to inspire his men as well as the ability to assure that they were disciplined. In sum, Jackson illuminates many of the theories of Jomini, Sun Tzu, and (to a lesser extent) Clausewitz. It is no coincidence that this is the case because, being a military commander and attending West Point, he would have been familiar with these strategies. Footnotes (1) Clausewitz, Carl V. On War. (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1989), 358. (2) Clausewitz, Carl V. On War. (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1989), 359. (3) New World Encyclopedia, 2010 ed., s. v. “ Stonewall Jackson.” (4) New World Encyclopedia, 2010 ed., s. v. “ Stonewall Jackson.” (5) Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2006 ed., s. v. “ Strategy.” (6) Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2006 ed., s. v. “ Strategy.” (7) New World Encyclopedia, 2010 ed., s. v. “ Stonewall Jackson.” (8) Tzu, Sun. Art of War. (Colorado: Westview Press, 1994), 168. Bibliography Tzu, Sun. Art of War. Colorado: Westview Press, 1994. Clausewitz, Carl V. On War. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1989.