Fullerton, J. Quincy (fl. 1863) to Eliakim P. Scammon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01904 Author/Creator: Fullerton, J. Quincy (fl. 1863) Place Written: Charleston, West Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 October 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 32 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Spy report regarding reconnaissance against Confederate forces led by Confederate General Alfred Eugene Jackson (1807-1889), whom he refers to as "Mudwall." Describes his journey with 30 men of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry Volunteers across Virginia and West Virginia. Reports a skirmish with the enemy which interrupted their much needed rest and states, "...seeing our efforts to drive the enemy with our revolvers were useless we continued on towards the railroad." They continued on into Tennessee, along Iron Mountain, and into North Carolina where "Here we were most welcome...citizens came from miles around to see the Yankees or 'they who were fighting to deliver them from oppression', conscripts left their caves supposing their day of deliverance had come such as it was, to us being nearly starved and worn out with fatigue." From conflicting reports, he deduces that "Gen. T.[A.] Jackson, known as Mudwall Jackson, with four or five thousand men was near Bristol Station, Tenn., he was being reinforced from Virginia by Maj. Gen. Sam Jones." Describes how they got back to Charleston and concludes by stating, "We walked twenty-five of the forty-three days distance, travelled on foot five hundred and eighty miles." Written from Camp Toland in Charleston, West Virginia. Fullerton signs as Lieutenant in the 34th Ohio Volunteer mounted infantry. At least three Confederate generals with the surname Jackson were known derisively as "Mudwall" (in contrast to the far more famous "Stonewall" Jackson); the context of this reference indicates that the "Mudwall" cited here was Alfred Eugene Jackson (1807-1889). In early 1863, Jackson was commissioned brigadier general and assigned to the Department of East Tennessee. His promotion was widely considered political in nature -- Jackson was disliked by fellow officers and his own men, and generally considered unfit for the command. Jackson commanded a brigade under Donelson and Maury, and was involved in a number of skirmishes with enemy raiding parties. In October, he took part in the victory at Greeneville; his command was included in Ransom's division during Longstreet's operations in east Tennessee. He was removed from field command in late 1864, after being found unfit for active service in the field.
Fullerton is possibly referring to Stonewall Jackson when he writes "T.E. Jackson" though Stonewall Jackson's full name was Thomas Jonathan. Stonewall Jackson had a cousin, William Lowther Jackson, who reached the rank of brigadier general (though not until December 1864) in the Confederate army and was called "Mudwall" Jackson.
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