118-620: The James Rumsey Technical Institute ( JRTI ) is a technical institute in Martinsburg , West Virginia . It is named after James Rumsey , an American mechanical engineer and inventor from Shepherdstown , West Virginia. JRTI was founded on March 25, 1969. James Rumsey Technical Institute is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education . 39°31′59″N 77°58′48″W / 39.53306°N 77.98000°W / 39.53306; -77.98000 Martinsburg, West Virginia Martinsburg
236-426: A July daily mean temperature of 75.7 °F (24.3 °C) and 27 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ readings annually. Precipitation is moderate, with winter being the driest period and May thru July the wettest. Extreme temperatures at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport range from −18 °F (−28 °C) on January 21, 1994, up to 112 °F (44 °C) on July 11, 1936; an even colder −19 °F (−28 °C)
354-589: A bi-monthly magazine, Around the Panhandle magazine. The city is home to WEPM/1340 AM , WRNR/740 AM , WICL/95.9 FM , WLTF/97.5 FM , and WVEP/88.9 FM radio stations. Martinsburg is home to W08EE-D Channel 8 ( West Virginia Public Broadcasting ) and WWPX 60 ( ION ), all part of the Hagerstown sub-market that is further grouped under the Nielsen-designated Washington, D.C.-Hagerstown, Md. market,
472-541: A bridge, which limited his involvement to an ineffectual artillery duel and a missed opportunity to intervene decisively at the Battle of Glendale , which was raging nearby. At Malvern Hill Jackson participated in the futile, piecemeal frontal assaults against entrenched Union infantry and massed artillery, and suffered heavy casualties (but this was a problem for all of Lee's army in that ill-considered battle). The reasons for Jackson's sluggish and poorly coordinated actions during
590-432: A brother or father. ... He was emphatically the black man's friend." He addressed his students by name and they referred to him as "Marse Major". Jackson owned six slaves in the late 1850s. Three (Hetty, Cyrus, and George, a mother and two teenage sons) were received as part of the dowry at his marriage to Mary Anna Jackson. Another slave, Albert, requested that Jackson purchase him and allow him to work for his freedom; he
708-495: A combination of great audacity, excellent knowledge and shrewd use of the terrain, and an uncommon ability to inspire his troops to great feats of marching and fighting. The campaign started with a tactical defeat at Kernstown on March 23, 1862, when faulty intelligence led him to believe he was attacking a small detachment. But it became a strategic victory for the Confederacy, because his aggressiveness suggested that he possessed
826-598: A drill master for some of the many new recruits in the Confederate Army . On April 27, 1861, Virginia Governor John Letcher ordered Colonel Jackson to take command at Harpers Ferry, where he would assemble and command the unit which later gained fame as the " Stonewall Brigade ", consisting of the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 27th, and 33rd Virginia Infantry regiments. These units were from the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia, where Jackson located his headquarters throughout
944-493: A force of about 17,000 against a combined force of 60,000. Stonewall Jackson's reputation for moving his troops so rapidly earned them the oxymoronic nickname " foot cavalry ". He became the most celebrated soldier in the Confederacy (until he was eventually eclipsed by Lee) and lifted the morale of the Southern public. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign toward Richmond stalled at the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31 and June 1. After
1062-518: A furious defense, Pope's army was forced to retreat in a manner similar to the embarrassing Union defeat at First Bull Run, fought on roughly the same battleground. When Lee decided to invade the North in the Maryland Campaign , Jackson took Harpers Ferry , then hastened to join the rest of the army at Sharpsburg, Maryland , where they fought McClellan in the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg). Antietam
1180-545: A gray Confederate uniform until 1862. Jackson rose to prominence and earned his most famous nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) on July 21, 1861. As the Confederate lines began to crumble under heavy Union assault, Jackson's brigade provided crucial reinforcements on Henry House Hill, demonstrating the discipline he instilled in his men. While under heavy fire for several continuous hours, Jackson received
1298-402: A haven, "Jackson's Fort", for refugees from Indian attacks. John and Elizabeth had eight children. Their second son was Edward Jackson (1759–1828), and Edward's third son was Jonathan Jackson, Thomas's father. Jonathan's mother died on April 17, 1796. Three years later, on October 13, 1799, his father married Elizabeth Wetherholt, and they had nine more children. Thomas Jackson was born in
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#17328724374391416-557: A horse and had it swim across the freezing Potomac River. After riding forty miles, he walked in cold wet clothes for two days, to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania . He received assistance there from the Underground Railroad and traveled by train to Philadelphia , and the office of William Still with the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society . Brown's wife and four children had been sold; he sought help to find them. He had
1534-594: A likeness of his wife, and locks of hair from each of them. In 1854, ten-year-old Isabelle Boyd , known as "Belle" and later a noted spy for the Confederacy, moved to Martinsburg with her family, where her father Benjamin operated a general merchandise store. After the Civil War began, Benjamin joined the Second Virginia Infantry, which was part of the Stonewall Brigade. His wife Mary was thus in charge of
1652-496: A much larger force, convincing President Abraham Lincoln to keep Banks' troops in the Valley and McDowell's 30,000-man corps near Fredericksburg , subtracting about 50,000 soldiers from McClellan's invasion force. As it transpired, it was Jackson's only defeat in the Valley. By adding Maj. Gen. Richard S. Ewell 's large division and Maj. Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson's small division, Jackson increased his army to 17,000 men. He
1770-590: A part of the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA Medical Center in Martinsburg still provides care to United States veterans. Due to restructuring beginning in the late 1940s and continuing through the 1970s, many of the mills and factories operating in Martinsburg shut down and went out of business, dealing a major blow to the local economy. Jobs were moved to the Deep South and later offshore. Martinsburg
1888-638: A private school to support herself and her three young children for about four years. In 1830, Julia Neale Jackson remarried, against the wishes of her friends. Her new husband, Captain Blake B. Woodson, an attorney, did not like his stepchildren. Warren, Julia's eldest son, moved to live with his uncle Alfred Neale near Parkersburg, and at the age of sixteen, he was hired to teach in Upshur County. Julia moved to Fayette County with her other two children, Thomas and Laura. Julia remained in such poor health, and caring for
2006-494: A strong, blonde woman almost 6 feet (180 cm) tall, born in London, was also convicted of felony larceny in an unrelated case for stealing 19 pieces of silver, jewelry, and fine lace, and received a similar sentence. They both were transported on the merchant ship Litchfield , which departed London in May 1749 with 150 convicts . John and Elizabeth met on board and were in love by the time
2124-425: A typhoid fever on March 26, 1827, after nursing his daughter. Jackson's mother gave birth to his sister Laura Ann the day after Jackson's father died. Julia Jackson thus was widowed at 28 and was left with much debt and three young children (including the newborn). She sold the family's possessions to pay the debts. She declined family charity and moved into a small rented one-room house. Julia took in sewing and opened
2242-426: A valuable personal reconnaissance—saving the lives of many soldiers, and that Jackson was indebted to me to that amount at least. Perhaps I might have been a little chagrined at Jackson's silence, and hence commented inwardly and adversely upon his horsemanship. Alas! I had looked upon him for the last time. Jackson immediately returned to his corps and arranged his divisions into a line of battle to charge directly into
2360-480: A wound, breaking the middle finger of his left hand about midway between the hand and knuckle, the ball passing on the side next to the index finger. The troops of South Carolina, commanded by Gen. Barnard Elliott Bee Jr. had been overwhelmed, and he rode up to Jackson in despair, exclaiming, "They are beating us back!" "Then," said Jackson, "we will give them the bayonet!" As he rode back to his command, Bee exhorted his own troops to re-form by shouting, "There
2478-469: Is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Rally behind the Virginians!" There is some controversy over Bee's statement and intent, which could not be clarified because he was killed almost immediately after speaking and none of his subordinate officers wrote reports of the battle. Major Burnett Rhett, chief of staff to General Joseph E. Johnston , claimed that Bee
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#17328724374392596-538: Is a city in and the county seat of Berkeley County, West Virginia , United States. The population was 18,773 at the 2020 census , making Martinsburg the largest city in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and the sixth-most populous city in the state. It is a principal city of the Hagerstown–Martinsburg metropolitan area extending into Maryland , which had 293,844 residents in 2020. Martinsburg
2714-428: Is approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Hagerstown , 73 miles (117 km) west of Baltimore , 63 miles (101 km) northwest of Washington, D.C. , and 134 miles (216 km) east of Morgantown . U.S. Route 11 runs through the center of town, and Interstate 81 passes along the northern side of the town. Martinsburg is 212 miles (341 km) distant from the state capital of Charleston. However, it
2832-478: Is closer to no less than five other state capitals: Harrisburg PA - 80 miles (130 km), Annapolis MD - 85 miles (137 km), Dover DE - 132 miles (212 km), Richmond VA - 135 miles (217 km), and Trenton NJ - 179 miles (288 km). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 6.67 square miles (17.28 km ), of which 6.65 square miles (17.22 km )
2950-628: Is home to two hospitals, namely the Berkeley Medical Center and the Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center . Thomas %22Stonewall%22 Jackson Thomas Jonathan " Stonewall " Jackson (January 21, 1824 – May 10, 1863) was a Confederate general and military officer who served during the American Civil War . He played a prominent role in nearly all military engagements in the eastern theater of
3068-428: Is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km ) is water. Martinsburg lies in the transitional area between humid subtropical climate ( Köppen Cfa ) and humid continental climatic zones (Köppen Dfa ), with four distinct seasons. Winters are cool to cold, with a January daily mean temperature of 32.4 °F (0.2 °C) and an average annual snowfall of 26.1 inches (66 cm), while summers are hot and humid with
3186-564: Is located downtown at 229 East Martin Street. MARC , Maryland's commuter rail system, operates trains on weekdays on its Brunswick Line which terminates in Martinsburg. Service is provided to Washington Union Station in Washington, D.C. Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA) operates public bus transit routes in Martinsburg, surrounding Berkeley County, and neighboring Jefferson County, West Virginia . Eastern WV Regional Airport , south of
3304-664: Is now West Virginia was established at Martinsburg in 1792. At that time, Martinsburg and the larger territory were still part of Virginia . The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) reached Martinsburg in 1842. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops were constructed in 1849 and rebuilt after the American Civil War. According to William Still , "The Father of the Underground Railroad " and its historian: Mr Robert Brown, alias Thomas Jones, escaped from slavery in Martinsburg on Christmas night in 1856. He rode
3422-669: Is some dispute about the actual location of Jackson's birth. A historical marker on the floodwall in Parkersburg, West Virginia , claims that he was born in a cabin near that spot when his mother was visiting her parents who lived there. There are writings which indicate that in Jackson's early childhood, he was called "The Real Macaroni", though the origin of the nickname and whether it really existed are unclear. Thomas's sister Elizabeth (age six) died of typhoid fever on March 6, 1826, with two-year-old Thomas at her bedside. His father also died of
3540-462: Is the main north–south highway through the region. I-81 connects northward to Hagerstown and Harrisburg , and continues southward to Winchester and Roanoke . U.S. Route 11 , the former primary regional north–south highway, now serves as a local service road to I-81, and travels through downtown Martinsburg. The main highway serving regional east–west travel is West Virginia Route 9 . From Martinsburg eastwards, WV 9 follows an expressway, connecting
3658-404: The 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment mistook the group for a Union cavalry force. The sentries shouted "Halt, who goes there?", but fired before evaluating the reply. Frantic shouts by Jackson's staff identifying the party were replied to by Major John D. Barry with the retort, "It's a damned Yankee trick! Fire!" A second volley was fired in response. Jackson was hit by three bullets: two in
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3776-621: The Mexican–American War . Jackson's unit was directed to report to General Taylor and proceed immediately via Matamoros and Camargo to Monterey and then to Saltillo. Prior to the Battle of Buena Vista, Lieutenant Jackson's unit was ordered to withdraw from General Taylor's army and march to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where they would be transferred to Veracruz. He served at the Siege of Veracruz and
3894-528: The Stonewall Brigade , stopped the Union assault and suffered more casualties than any other Southern brigade that day; Jackson has since then been generally known as Stonewall Jackson. During the battle, Jackson displayed a gesture common to him and held his left arm skyward with the palm facing forward – interpreted by his soldiers variously as an eccentricity or an entreaty to God for success in combat. His hand
4012-513: The Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He became Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, or Physics, and Instructor of Artillery. Jackson was disliked as a teacher, with his students nicknaming him "Tom Fool", believing that Jackson "could never be anything more than a martinet colonel, half soldier and half preacher". He memorized his lectures and then recited them to the class. Students who came to ask for help were given
4130-667: The Virginia Military Institute . When Virginia seceded from the United States in May 1861 after the Battle of Fort Sumter , Jackson joined the Confederate States Army . He distinguished himself commanding a brigade at the First Battle of Bull Run in July, providing crucial reinforcements and beating back a fierce Union assault. Thus Barnard Elliott Bee Jr. compared him to a "stone wall", which became his enduring nickname. He performed exceptionally well in various campaigns over
4248-545: The Berkeley County Museum. It is also known as the Belle Boyd House. Residents of West Virginia were split in their allegiance during the war, with half of its soldiers serving in the Confederate army. The vote to create a new state in western Virginia was very low, but statehood was approved by Congress and President Lincoln, and the new state was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863. The city of Martinsburg
4366-469: The Boyd home when Union forces under General Robert Patterson took Martinsburg. When a group of Patterson's men tried to raise a Union flag over the Boyd home, Mary refused. One of the soldiers, Frederick Martin, threatened Mary, and Belle shot him. She was acquitted. She soon became involved in espionage, sending information to Confederate generals Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and J.E.B. "Jeb" Stuart . Often she
4484-638: The Great God of Battles, how could he hear what a poor cavalryman was saying. "Tell General Rodes", said he, suddenly whirling his horse towards the courier, "to move across the Old plank road; halt when he gets to the Old turnpike, and I will join him there." One more look upon the Federal lines, and then he rode rapidly down the hill, his arms flapping to the motion of his horse, over whose head it seemed, good rider as he was, he would certainly go. I expected to be told I had made
4602-607: The Right Wing (later to become known as the First Corps) and Jackson commanded the Left Wing. Jackson started the campaign under Lee's orders with a sweeping flanking maneuver that placed his corps into the rear of Union Maj. Gen. John Pope 's Army of Virginia . The Hotchkiss journal shows that Jackson, most likely, originally conceived the movement. In the journal entries for March 4 and 6, 1863, General Stuart tells Hotchkiss that "Jackson
4720-517: The Seven Days are disputed, although a severe lack of sleep after the grueling march and railroad trip from the Shenandoah Valley was probably a significant factor. Both Jackson and his troops were completely exhausted. An explanation for this and other lapses by Jackson was tersely offered by his colleague and brother in-law General Daniel Harvey Hill: "Jackson's genius never shone when he was under
4838-641: The Shenandoah Valley; their presence near Richmond added greatly to the Union commander's overestimation of the strength and numbers of the forces before him. This proved a crucial factor in McClellan's decision to re-establish his base at a point many miles downstream from Richmond on the James River at Harrison's Landing, essentially a retreat that ended the Peninsula Campaign and prolonged the war almost three more years. Jackson's troops served well under Lee in
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4956-617: The U.S. forces. The former episode, and later aggressive action against the retreating Mexican army, earned him field promotion to the brevet rank of major. After the war, Jackson was briefly assigned to units in New York, and later to Florida during the Second Interbellum of the Seminole Wars , during which the Americans were attempting to force the remaining Seminoles to move west. He
5074-628: The VMI faculty, Preston taught Sunday School with Jackson and served on his staff during the Civil War. Jackson was not known to the white inhabitants of Lexington, instead mostly being known by many of the African Americans in town, both slaves and free blacks. In 1855, he organized Sunday School classes for blacks at the Presbyterian Church. His second wife, Mary Anna Jackson , taught with Jackson, as "he preferred that my labors should be given to
5192-671: The Valley Campaign ended in mid-June, Jackson and his troops were called to join Robert E. Lee 's Army of Northern Virginia in defense of the capital. By using a railroad tunnel under the Blue Ridge Mountains and then transporting troops to Hanover County on the Virginia Central Railroad , Jackson and his forces made a surprise appearance in front of McClellan at Mechanicsville . Reports had last placed Jackson's forces in
5310-401: The Valley would be cut. After a series of maneuvers, Jackson defeated Frémont's command at Cross Keys and Brig. Gen. James Shields at Port Republic on June 8–9. Union forces were withdrawn from the Valley. It was a classic military campaign of surprise and maneuver. Jackson pressed his army to travel 646 miles (1,040 km) in 48 days of marching and won five significant victories with
5428-399: The age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.7% were non-families. Of all households, 35.4% were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size
5546-403: The average family size was 2.92. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males. The median income for a household in the city
5664-564: The battle was extremely bloody for both sides, and Lee withdrew the Army of Northern Virginia back across the Potomac River , ending the invasion. On October 10, Jackson was promoted to lieutenant general , being ranked just behind Lee and Longstreet and his command was redesignated the Second Corps. Before the armies camped for winter, Jackson's Second Corps held off a strong Union assault against
5782-464: The battles of Contreras , Chapultepec , and Mexico City , eventually earning two brevet promotions , and the regular army rank of first lieutenant . It was in Mexico that Jackson first met Robert E. Lee . During the Battle of Chapultepec on September 13, 1847, he refused what he felt was a "bad order" to withdraw his troops. Confronted by his superior, he explained his rationale, claiming withdrawal
5900-467: The best tailors in Richmond. Jackson's previous coat was threadbare and colorless from exposure to the elements, its buttons removed by admiring ladies. Jackson asked his staff to thank Stuart, saying that although the coat was too handsome for him, he would cherish it as a souvenir. His staff insisted that he wear it to dinner, which caused scores of soldiers to rush to see him in uncharacteristic garb. Jackson
6018-534: The brick town house at 8 East Washington Street was purchased by Jackson in 1859. He lived in it for two years before being called to serve in the Confederacy. Jackson never returned to his home. In November 1859, at the request of the governor of Virginia , Major William Gilham led a contingent of the VMI Cadet Corps to Charles Town to provide an additional military presence at the hanging of militant abolitionist John Brown on December 2, following his raid on
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#17328724374396136-421: The case of the Jackson family, it was brother against sister. Laura Jackson Arnold was close to her brother Thomas until the Civil War period. As the war loomed, she became a staunch Unionist in a somewhat divided Harrison County . She was so strident in her beliefs that she expressed mixed feelings upon hearing of Thomas's death. One Union officer said that she seemed depressed at hearing the news, but her Unionism
6254-462: The children was such a strain on her strength, that she agreed to let their Grandmother Jackson take them to her home in Lewis County, about four miles north of Weston, where she lived with her unmarried daughters and sons. One of these sons was sent to Fayette County to care for the children by the grandmother. When he arrived and the purpose of his visit was revealed, there was quite a commotion among
6372-879: The children, who were very reluctant to leave their mother. Thomas, now six years old, slipped away to the nearby woods, where he hid, only returning to the house at nightfall. After a day or two of coaxing and numerous bribes, the uncle finally persuaded the children to make the trip, which took several days, with the help of their mother. When they arrived at their destination, they became the pets of an indulgent grandmother, two maiden aunts, and several bachelor uncles, all of whom were known for their great kindness of heart and strong family attachment. Thomas and Laura were indulged in every way, and to an extent well calculated to spoil them. In August 1835, Thomas and Laura's grandmother died. The following year, after giving birth to Thomas's half-brother Willam Wirt Woodson, Julia died of complications, leaving her three older children orphaned. Julia
6490-470: The city to Charles Town and Leesburg . WV 9 follows US 11 through downtown Martinsburg. To the west, WV 9 continues to Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw . West Virginia Route 45 is the other state highway serving Martinsburg. WV 45 extends westward into rural areas of western Berkeley County, and continues eastward to Shepherdstown . Amtrak provides service to Martinsburg on its Washington-Chicago Capitol Limited route. The city's passenger rail station
6608-413: The city, handles general aviation and Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base is located at this airport. The closest airport with commercial air service is Hagerstown Regional Airport , that is about 25 miles (40 km) driving distance north. The closest international airport is Washington Dulles International Airport near D.C., which is about 60 miles (97 km) driving distance east. Martinsburg
6726-557: The city. Part was built in 1745 by Edward Beeson, Sr. Aspen Hall, and its wealthy residents had key roles in the agricultural, religious, transportation, and political history of the region. Significant events related to the French and Indian War , the Revolution, and the Civil War took place on the property. Three original buildings are still standing, including the rare blockhouse of Mendenhall's Fort. The first United States post office in what
6844-423: The city. The population density was 2,977.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,149.6/km ). There were 7,432 housing units at an average density of 1,478.0 per square mile (570.7/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 83.9% White , 11.6% African American , 0.4% Native American , 0.9% Asian , 0% Pacific Islander , 1.3%% from other races , and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of
6962-507: The colored children, believing that it was more important and useful to put the strong hand of the Gospel under the ignorant African race, to lift them up". The pastor, Dr. William Spottswood White, described the relationship between Jackson and his Sunday afternoon students: "In their religious instruction he succeeded wonderfully. His discipline was systematic and firm, but very kind. ... His servants reverenced and loved him, as they would have done
7080-550: The command of another." The military reputations of Lee's corps commanders are often characterized as Stonewall Jackson representing the audacious, offensive component of Lee's army, whereas his counterpart, James Longstreet , more typically advocated and executed defensive strategies and tactics. Jackson has been described as the army's hammer, Longstreet its anvil. In the Northern Virginia Campaign of August 1862 this stereotype did not hold true. Longstreet commanded
7198-498: The course had been one year longer he would have graduated at the head of his class". Jackson began his United States Army career as a second lieutenant in Company K of the 1st U.S. Artillery Regiment. His unit proceeded through Pennsylvania, down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, and from there the troops embarked for Point Isabel, Texas, from where they were sent to fight in
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#17328724374397316-468: The entrance examinations and began his studies at the bottom of his class. Displaying a dogged determination that was to characterize his life, he became one of the hardest working cadets in the academy, and moved steadily up the academic rankings. Jackson graduated 17th out of 59 students in the Class of 1846. General Daniel Harvey Hill later remembered that Jackson's peers at West Point had said of Jackson, "If
7434-530: The family, but he later died of tuberculosis in 1841 at the age of twenty. Thomas and Laura Ann returned from Jackson's Mill in November 1831 to be at their dying mother's bedside. They spent four years together at the Mill before being separated—Laura Ann was sent to live with her mother's family, Thomas to live with his Aunt Polly (his father's sister) and her husband, Isaac Brake, on a farm four miles from Clarksburg. Thomas
7552-459: The federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry on October 16. Major Jackson was placed in command of the artillery, consisting of two howitzers manned by twenty-one cadets. In April 1861, after Virginia seceded from the Union and as the American Civil War broke out, Jackson was ordered by the Governor of Virginia to report with the VMI cadet corps to Richmond and await further orders. Upon arrival, Jackson
7670-510: The first two years of the war, as well as counties in western Virginia . Jackson became known for his relentless drilling of his troops; he believed discipline was vital to success on the battlefield. Following raids on the B&;O Railroad on May 24, he was promoted to brigadier general on June 17, 1861. Jackson continued to wear a blue Union Army uniform up to this point, having only access to his old VMI major's jacket, and would not be issued with
7788-620: The left arm and one in the right hand. Several of Jackson's men and many horses were killed in the attack. Incoming artillery rounds and darkness led to confusion, and Jackson was dropped from his stretcher while being evacuated. Hunter McGuire amputated Jackson's left arm, and Jackson was moved to Fairfield plantation at Guinea Station . Thomas Chandler, the owner, offered the use of his home for Jackson's treatment, but Jackson suggested using Chandler's plantation office building instead. Lee wrote to Jackson after learning of his injuries, stating: "Could I have directed events, I would have chosen for
7906-430: The light of those burning pine knots. Virginia law forbade teaching a slave, free black or mulatto to read or write; nevertheless, Jackson secretly taught the slave, as he had promised. Once literate, the young slave fled to Canada via the Underground Railroad . In his later years at Jackson's Mill, Thomas served as a schoolteacher. The Civil War has sometimes been referred to as a war of "brother against brother", but in
8024-602: The longest-made known cars to be built in the state of West Virginia. Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Hack Wilson began his storied professional career in his adopted hometown with the Martinsburg Blue Sox , a low-level minor-league baseball team. Wilson would go on to set the yet-to-be-broken major league record for RBI in a season (191) with the Chicago Cubs in 1930. After his playing career ended in 1935, Hack went back home to Martinsburg, played some ball with
8142-557: The middle of open field, guarded merely by two guns that faced westward, as well as the supplies and rear encampments. The men were eating and playing games in carefree fashion, completely unaware that an entire Confederate corps was less than a mile away. What happened next is given in Fitzhugh Lee's own words: So impressed was I with my discovery, that I rode rapidly back to the point on the Plank road where I had left my cavalry, and back down
8260-445: The next two years. On May 2, 1863, Jackson was accidentally shot by Confederate pickets . He lost his left arm to amputation. Weakened by his wounds, he died of pneumonia eight days later. His death proved a severe setback for the Confederacy . After Jackson's death, his military exploits developed a legendary quality, becoming an important element of the pseudohistorical ideology of the " Lost Cause ". Thomas Jonathan Jackson
8378-455: The ninth largest market in the nation. Martinsburg was the setting of the X-Files episode " Small Potatoes " (Season 4, episode 20). However, the filming did not take place in the vicinity. Martinsburg was also the setting for the reality television series Gypsy Sisters on TLC . Martinsburg is served by several significant highways. The most prominent of these is Interstate 81 , which
8496-416: The oblivious Federal right. The Confederates marched silently until they were merely several hundred feet from the Union position, then released a cry and full charge. Many of the Federal soldiers were captured without a shot fired, the rest were driven into a full rout. Jackson pursued back toward the center of the Federal line until dusk. As Jackson and his staff were returning to camp on May 2, sentries of
8614-409: The point of observation. There had been no change in the picture. I only knew Jackson slightly. I watched him closely as he gazed upon Howard's troops. It was then about 2 pm. His eyes burned with a brilliant glow, lighting up a sad face. His expression was one of intense interest, his face was colored slightly with the paint of approaching battle, and radiant at the success of his flank movement. To
8732-409: The population. There were 6,684 households, out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.8% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and
8850-595: The practice of slavery. He probably opposed the institution. Yet in his mind the Creator had sanctioned slavery, and man had no moral right to challenge its existence. The good Christian slaveholder was one who treated his servants fairly and humanely at all times. While an instructor at VMI in 1853, Thomas Jackson married Elinor "Ellie" Junkin , whose father, George Junkin , was president of Washington College (later named Washington and Lee University ) in Lexington. An addition
8968-628: The present-day town of Buckhannon , including 3,000 acres (12 km ) in Elizabeth's name. John and his two teenage sons were early recruits for the American Revolutionary War , fighting in the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780; John finished the war as captain and served as a lieutenant of the Virginia militia after 1787. While the men were in the Army, Elizabeth converted their home to
9086-399: The remarks made to him while the unconscious line of blue was pointed out, he did not reply once during the five minutes he was on the hill, and yet his lips were moving. From what I have read and heard of Jackson since that day, I know now what he was doing then. Oh! "beware of rashness", General Hooker. Stonewall Jackson is praying in full view and in rear of your right flank! While talking to
9204-435: The right flank of the Confederate line at the Battle of Fredericksburg , in what became a Confederate victory. Just before the battle, Jackson was delighted to receive a letter about the birth of his daughter, Julia Laura Jackson, on November 23. Also before the battle, Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart , Lee's dashing and well-dressed cavalry commander, presented to Jackson a fine general's frock coat that he had ordered from one of
9322-403: The right of the Union lines. While riding with his infantry in a wide berth well south and west of the Federal line of battle, Jackson employed Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee 's cavalry to provide for better reconnaissance regarding the exact location of the Union right and rear. The results were far better than even Jackson could have hoped. Fitzhugh Lee found the entire right side of the Federal lines in
9440-451: The road Jackson was moving, until I met "Stonewall" himself. "General", said I, "if you will ride with me, halting your column here, out of sight, I will show you the enemy's right, and you will perceive the great advantage of attacking down the Old turnpike instead of the Plank road, the enemy's lines being taken in reverse. Bring only one courier, as you will be in view from the top of the hill." Jackson assented, and I rapidly conducted him to
9558-506: The same explanation as before. If a student asked for help a second time, Jackson simply repeated the explanation slower and more deliberately. In 1856, a group of alumni attempted to have Jackson removed from his position. The founder of VMI and one of its first two faculty members was John Thomas Lewis Preston . Preston's second wife, Margaret Junkin Preston , was the sister of Jackson's first wife, Elinor . In addition to working together on
9676-483: The series of battles known as the Seven Days Battles , but Jackson's own performance in those battles is generally considered to be poor. He arrived late at Mechanicsville and inexplicably ordered his men to bivouac for the night within clear earshot of the battle. He was late at Savage's Station . At White Oak Swamp he failed to employ fording places to cross White Oak Swamp Creek, attempting for hours to rebuild
9794-516: The ship arrived at Annapolis, Maryland . Although they were sent to different locations in Maryland for their bond service, the couple married in July 1755. The family migrated west across the Blue Ridge Mountains to settle near Moorefield, Virginia (now West Virginia ) in 1758. In 1770, they moved farther west to the Tygart Valley . They began to acquire large parcels of virgin farming land near
9912-561: The southeast in the Peninsula Campaign . Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell 's large corps was poised to hit Richmond from the north, and Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks 's army threatened the Shenandoah Valley. Jackson was ordered by Richmond to operate in the Valley to defeat Banks's threat and prevent McDowell's troops from reinforcing McClellan. Jackson possessed the attributes to succeed against his poorly coordinated and sometimes timid opponents:
10030-474: The start of the Second Battle of Bull Run (Second Manassas), Pope launched repeated assaults against Jackson as Longstreet and the remainder of the army marched north to reach the battlefield. On August 30, Pope came to believe that Jackson was starting to retreat, and Longstreet took advantage of this by launching a massive assault on the Union army's left with over 25,000 men. Although the Union troops put up
10148-560: The time these troops had restored order, the protest of the rail company had spread across the country. Telephone service was established in Martinsburg in 1883. In 1889, electricity began to be furnished to Martinsburg as part of a franchise granted to the United Edison Manufacturing Company of New York. The Interwoven Mills began operations in Martinsburg in 1891. Construction of the Apollo Civic Theatre
10266-472: The town of Clarksburg, Harrison County, Virginia , on January 21, 1824. He was the third child of Julia Beckwith (née Neale) Jackson (1798–1831) and Jonathan Jackson (1790–1826), an attorney. Both of Jackson's parents were natives of Virginia. The family already had two young children and were living in Clarksburg, in what is now West Virginia, when Thomas was born. He was named for his maternal grandfather. There
10384-485: The town's semipro team and opened a recreation and pool hall in town with a partner. He later moved to Baltimore in 1941 where he later died November 23, 1948. Originally scheduled to be interred in Baltimore, Wilson was buried — in a donated plot — in Martinsburg, Martinsburg has one daily community newspaper, The Journal and also is regionally covered by The Herald-Mail out of Hagerstown, Maryland . Martinsburg has
10502-744: The two Enterprise Computing Centers of the Internal Revenue Service (the other is in Memphis, Tennessee ), processes most of the country's electronically filed tax documents from businesses , and about one-third of electronically filed tax returns . The area is also home to the 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard , based in Eastern WV Regional Airport . Martinsburg had its own automobile company from 1912 to 1922, called Norwalk, which assembled
10620-643: The war until his death. Military historians regard him as one of the most gifted tactical commanders in U.S. history . Born in what was then part of Virginia (now in West Virginia ), Jackson received an appointment to the United States Military Academy , graduating in the class of 1846. He served in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War , distinguishing himself at the Battle of Chapultepec . From 1851 to 1861, he taught at
10738-470: Was $ 29,495, and the median income for a family was $ 36,954. Males had a median income of $ 29,697 versus $ 22,212 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 16,314. About 14.7% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over. Major private employers in and around Martinsburg include Quad/Graphics , Ecolab , Orgill, Macy's , and FedEx . In February 2015, it
10856-472: Was 2,590.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,000.2/km ). There were 8,408 housing units at an average density of 1,264.4 per square mile (488.2/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 77.5% White , 14.9% African American , 0.4% Native American , 1.2% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 2.3% from other races , and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.2% of the population. There were 7,293 households, of which 29.6% had children under
10974-400: Was 3.00. The median age in the city was 37 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 14,972 people, 6,684 households, and 3,689 families residing in
11092-404: Was 4.8% of the population. The median household income (in 2019 dollars) was $ 42,835. The per capita income was $ 24,970. 29.5% of the population is recorded as being in poverty. 88.5% of households had a computer, with 77.9% having access to broadband internet. As of the census of 2010, there were 17,227 people, 7,293 households, and 4,106 families residing in the city. The population density
11210-477: Was a great-grandson of John Jackson (1715/1719–1801) and Elizabeth Cummins (also known as Elizabeth Comings and Elizabeth Needles) (1723–1828). John Jackson was an Irish Protestant from Coleraine , County Londonderry , Ireland. While living in London, England, he was convicted of the capital crime of larceny for stealing £170; the judge at the Old Bailey sentenced him to seven years penal transportation . Elizabeth,
11328-411: Was angry at Jackson's failure to come immediately to the relief of Bee's and Francis S. Bartow 's brigades while they were under heavy pressure. Those who subscribe to this opinion believe that Bee's statement was meant to be pejorative: "Look at Jackson standing there like a stone wall!" Regardless of the controversy and the delay in relieving Bee, Jackson's brigade, which would thenceforth be known as
11446-497: Was announced that Procter & Gamble planned to build a $ 500 million facility near the city. The city also has numerous federal government employers, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Coast Guard C5ISC-Kearneysville, U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives , and the Martinsburg VA Medical Center . The Martinsburg IRS Facility, one of
11564-520: Was appointed a Major of Engineers in the Provisional Army of Virginia , which was a short lived force commanded by Robert E. Lee , prior to Virginia fully augmenting into forces of the Confederacy. After Jackson protested such a low rank, the Virginia Governor appointed him a Colonel of Virginia Infantry which in May 1861 was augmented to a Colonel in the Confederate Army . Jackson then became
11682-537: Was built onto the president's residence for the Jacksons, and when Robert E. Lee became president of Washington College he lived in the same home, now known as the Lee–Jackson House. Ellie gave birth to a stillborn son on October 22, 1854, experiencing a hemorrhage an hour later that proved fatal. After a tour of Europe, Jackson married again, in 1857. Mary Anna Morrison was from North Carolina, where her father
11800-766: Was buried in an unmarked grave in a homemade coffin in Westlake Cemetery along the James River and Kanawha Turnpike in Fayette County within the corporate limits of present-day Ansted , West Virginia. As their mother's health continued to fail, Jackson and his sister Laura Ann were sent to live with their half-uncle, Cummins Jackson , who owned a grist mill in Jackson's Mill (near present-day Weston in Lewis County in central West Virginia). Their older brother, Warren, went to live with other relatives on his mother's side of
11918-508: Was completed in 1913. Over one thousand (1,039) men from Berkeley County participated in World War I. Of these, forty-one were killed, and twenty-one were wounded in battle. A monument to those who fell in battle was erected in Martinsburg in 1925. During World War II, the Newton D. Baker Hospital in Martinsburg treated thousands of soldiers wounded in the war. In 1946 this military hospital became
12036-409: Was employed as a waiter in one of the Lexington hotels and Jackson rented him to VMI. Amy also requested that Jackson purchase her from a public slave auction and she served the family as a cook and housekeeper. The sixth, Emma, was a four-year-old orphan with a learning disability , accepted by Jackson from an aged widow and presented to his second wife, Mary Anna, as a welcome-home gift. After Jackson
12154-513: Was entitled to all the credit" for the movement and that Lee thought the proposed movement "very hazardous" and "reluctantly consented" to the movement. At Manassas Junction, Jackson was able to capture all of the supplies of the Union Army depot. Then he had his troops destroy all of it, for it was the main depot for the Union Army. Jackson then retreated and then took up a defensive position and effectively invited Pope to assault him. On August 28–29,
12272-594: Was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly that was adopted in December 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. Founder Major General Adam Stephen named the gateway town to the Shenandoah Valley along Tuscarora Creek in honor of Colonel Thomas Bryan Martin , a nephew of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron . Aspen Hall , a Georgian mansion, is the oldest house in
12390-489: Was helped by Eliza Corsey, a Boyd family slave whom Belle had taught to read and write. In 1863, Belle was arrested in Martinsburg by the Union Army and imprisoned. Boyd's Greek Revival home, which he had built in 1853 and sold in 1855, had numerous owners over the decades. In 1992 it was purchased by the Berkeley County Historical Society. The historical society renovated the building and now operates it as
12508-451: Was incorporated by an act of the new West Virginia Legislature on March 30, 1868. Martinsburg became a center of the railroad industry and its workers. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began July 14, 1877, in this city at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops . After several unsuccessful attempts to quell the protests, Governor Henry M. Mathews called for federal troops. By
12626-463: Was more hazardous than continuing his overmatched artillery duel. His judgment proved correct, and a relieving brigade was able to exploit the advantage Jackson had broached. In contrast to this display of strength of character, he obeyed what he also felt was a "bad order" when he raked a civilian throng with artillery fire after the Mexican authorities failed to surrender Mexico City at the hour demanded by
12744-430: Was primarily a defensive battle against superior odds, although McClellan failed to exploit his advantage. Jackson's men bore the brunt of the initial attacks on the northern end of the battlefield and, at the end of the day, successfully resisted a breakthrough on the southern end when Jackson's subordinate, Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill , arrived at the last minute from Harpers Ferry. The Confederate forces held their position, but
12862-424: Was recorded in the city on January 14, 1912. As of the census of 2020, there were 18,777 people residing in the city, living in 7,179 total households. The population density was 2,591.7 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 79.9% White , 13.9% African American , 0.1% Native American , 1.3% Asian , 0.0% Pacific Islander , and 3.1% two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race
12980-497: Was shot at Chancellorsville, a slave "Jim Lewis, had stayed with Jackson in the small house as he lay dying". Mary Anna Jackson, in her 1895 memoir, said, "our servants ... without the firm guidance and restraint of their master, the excitement of the times proved so demoralizing to them that he deemed it best for me to provide them with good homes among the permanent residents". James Robertson wrote about Jackson's view on slavery: Jackson neither apologized for nor spoke in favor of
13098-556: Was so embarrassed with the attention that he did not wear the new uniform for months. At the Battle of Chancellorsville , the Army of Northern Virginia was faced with a serious threat by the Army of the Potomac and its new commanding general, Major General Joseph Hooker . General Lee decided to employ a risky tactic to take the initiative and offensive away from Hooker's new southern thrust – he decided to divide his forces. Jackson and his entire corps went on an aggressive flanking maneuver to
13216-457: Was stationed briefly at Fort Casey before being named second-in-command at Fort Meade , a small fort about thirty miles south of Tampa . His commanding officer was Major William H. French . Jackson and French disagreed often, and filed numerous complaints against each other. Jackson stayed in Florida less than a year. In the spring of 1851, Jackson accepted a newly created teaching position at
13334-618: Was still significantly outnumbered, but attacked portions of his divided enemy individually at McDowell , defeating both Brig. Gens. Robert H. Milroy and Robert C. Schenck . He defeated Banks at Front Royal and Winchester , ejecting him from the Valley. Lincoln decided that the defeat of Jackson was an immediate priority (though Jackson's orders were solely to keep Union forces occupied and away from Richmond). He ordered Irvin McDowell to send 20,000 men to Front Royal and Maj. Gen. John C. Frémont to move to Harrisonburg . If both forces could converge at Strasburg, Jackson's only escape route up
13452-517: Was strict with Thomas, who looked up to Cummins as a schoolteacher. Jackson helped around the farm, tending sheep with the assistance of a sheepdog , driving teams of oxen and helping harvest wheat and corn. Formal education was not easily obtained, but he attended school when and where he could. Much of Jackson's education was self-taught. He once made a deal with one of his uncle's slaves to provide him with pine knots in exchange for reading lessons; Thomas would stay up at night reading borrowed books by
13570-408: Was stronger than her family bonds. In a letter, he wrote that Laura had said that she "would rather know that he was dead than to have him a leader in the rebel army". Her Union sentiment also estranged her later from her husband, Jonathan Arnold. In 1842, Jackson was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point , New York. Because of his inadequate schooling, he had difficulty with
13688-542: Was struck by a bullet or a piece of shrapnel and he suffered a small loss of bone in his middle finger. He refused medical advice to have the finger amputated. After the battle, Jackson was promoted to major general (October 7, 1861) and given command of the Valley District , with headquarters in Winchester . In the spring of 1862, Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan 's Army of the Potomac approached Richmond from
13806-440: Was the first president of Davidson College . Her sister, Isabella Morrison, was married to Daniel Harvey Hill . Mary Anna had a daughter named Mary Graham on April 30, 1858, but the baby died less than a month later. Another daughter was born in 1862, shortly before her father's death. The Jacksons named her Julia Laura, after his mother and sister. Jackson purchased the only house he ever owned while in Lexington. Built in 1801,
13924-421: Was treated by Brake as an outsider and, having suffered verbal abuse for over a year, ran away from the family. When his cousin in Clarksburg urged him to return to Aunt Polly's, he replied, "Maybe I ought to, ma'am, but I am not going to." He walked eighteen miles through mountain wilderness to Jackson's Mill, where he was welcomed by his uncles and he remained there for the following seven years. Cummins Jackson
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