Jackson, Thomas J. ("Stonewall"). Extraordinary autograph letter signed .- April 17, 1863...

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Jackson, Thomas J. ("Stonewall"). Extraordinary autograph letter signed .- April 17, 1863 Extraordinary autograph letter signed ("T.J. Jackson"), 2 pages (5 x 7.75 in.; 127 x 197 mm.), front and back, Near Fredericksburg, Va., 17 April 1863, written to Mrs. Haderman. Light spotting; minor separations at folds. Two weeks before his untimely death, Stonewall Jackson writes to a Maryland lady with Secessionist sympathies. "The down-trodden condition of Maryland your native state, and the afflictions of her exiled sons and daughters, make me feel sad and sorrowful; but I yet hope to see the chain that binds her broken, and to see her stand one of the most queenly among her southern sisters." Jackson writes in full: My Dear Mrs. Haderman, Your touching letter of the 25th of Dec. last, and the accompanying beautiful sash in which you have so tastefully confederated the characteristic products of our different states have been received. Please do accept my thanks for the evidence of friendly regard which you have thus manifested. The down-trodden condition of Maryland your native state, and the afflictions of her exiled sons and daughters, make me feel sad and sorrowful; but I yet hope to see the chain that binds her broken, and to see her stand one of the most queenly among her southern sisters. Trusting in God and doing our duty, let us hopefully look forward to seeing her star upon the banner of our Confederacy. Very gratefully yours T.J. Jackson Writing to a Maryland lady of Secessionist sympathies, Jackson describes Union-occupied Maryland as a captive queen, sorrowful but hopeful, awaiting rescue by, not surprisingly, Jackson's twin verities, Faith and Duty. Maryland, which had seen in 1862 the bloodiest day in American history, at the battle at Antietam Creek (with more than 23,000 men left dead, wounded, or missing) was, in 1863, an increasingly hard place for Confederate partisans. Loyalty oaths were required, the flying of the Stars and Stripes was prescribed, and even the slightest profession of pro-Southern sympathy was ruthlessly crushed. In April, at the time of this letter, there was a lull in fighting and Jackson was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his beloved wife and child. The same day he penned this missive to Mrs. Haderman, he also wrote his wife: "I am beginning to look for my darling and my baby," he said, and "shouldn't be surprised to hear...they were coming, and I tell you there would be one delighted man." His wife and infant daughter arrived three days later, and the visit, during which his baby was baptized, proved one of the happiest times of his life. On 2nd May, some two weeks after writing Mrs. Haderman (and three days after his wife and child left for home), Jackson was shot by friendly fire and mortally wounded. He died seven days later. "It is a terrible loss," Robert E. Lee declared, "I do not know how to replace him." A gentle, yet deeply felt letter from Jackson who is known for his aggressiveness, legendary quickness and decisiveness.