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Confederate General Stonewall Jackson’s Only Granddaughter’s Elopement Scandal
Years after the death of a famous figure from the American Civil War, his granddaughter made national headlines because of her unusual marriage
The American Civil War is such a landmark event in history that many of its key figures still have great name recognition in the present time. This includes Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who was known for his quirky habits and intensity before being killed in battle. Years after his death and the conclusion of the conflict his name still comes up frequently, and sometimes for odd reasons. This includes the elopement of his only granddaughter in 1907, that caused a public scandal after her father publicly denounced the man she married.
Outside of Robert E. Lee, perhaps no other Confederate general is better known than Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. After graduating from West Point in 1846, he served in the army before ultimately becoming an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Due to a stern and often tone-deaf demeanor, his students called him “Tom Fool.” He later got his more famous nickname of “Stonewall” after his soldiers saw his steadiness in battle — much like a stone wall.
