Stonewall Brigade facts for kids

The Stonewall Brigade was a famous group of soldiers in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. They were called an "infantry brigade," which means they were a large unit of soldiers who fought on foot. This brigade got its special name from their first leader, Thomas J. Jackson. He earned the nickname "Stonewall" during the First Battle of Bull Run because he stood firm like a stone wall in battle.

Who Were the Stonewall Brigade?

The Stonewall Brigade was made up of five different groups of soldiers, called regiments. These were the 2nd Virginia Infantry, 4th Virginia Infantry, 5th Virginia Infantry, 27th Virginia Infantry, and 33rd Virginia Infantry. All five of these groups were formed in 1861, at the start of the Civil War.

What Did They Do?

The Stonewall Brigade fought in many important battles throughout the war. They were known for being tough and brave. However, war is very hard, and they lost many soldiers.

The End of the Brigade

During the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, the brigade suffered heavy losses. Many of their soldiers were killed, hurt, or captured by the enemy. After this battle, there were so few soldiers left that the brigade had to combine into one much smaller group. When the main Confederate army, called the Army of Northern Virginia, gave up at Appomattox Court House in 1865, the Stonewall Brigade had only about 200 soldiers remaining.