Zachary Davis

StoneWall Jackson
November 5, 2015
U.S. History
Mr.Deitelbaum
3:15
Zach Davis

Grade: 92

Effort: 1

Character: Thomas Stonewall Jackson

Zach,
You immediately dove into this project, identifying a character who intrigued you, that you could
probe their Civil War experience to work into your monologue. You continue to demonstrate
refined research skills, identifying appropriate sources and building notes with depth. As a
result, you earned an A- for this portion of the project. Your writing skills are sound, and you
build a monologue with both purpose and tension, which is not easy to do. With each rehearsal,
you grew stronger, understanding the importance of pace and projection. We will continue to
work on public speaking skills, as you have a real presence to work with. You saved your
strongest performance for December 11, and really impressed the audience. Well done!

Setting: Just after the first manassas..

Writing a letter to second wife Mary Anna Morrison after the battle. :

Sitting in a room with an aid preparing to write a letter to wife. :

Beginning to speak the letter but changing and continuously disagreeing with what Im
saying. :
Yelling at aid to leave so I can be with myself to think about my letter:
Standing up, pacing back and forth talking about how well the war went and thinking of
how to word it to my wife:

Alright Lieutenant, write this down. Its a letter, to my wife Mary.

Dearest Mary,
I hope that you know I miss you desperately! Ive recently accomplished what
was thought to be impossible. By now, Im sure youve caught wind of the recent battle
of Bull Run, or, as we confederates have been calling it, The First Manassas. Of course
we were expected to lose this battle by a landslide. Evident by my writing to you, we
won the battle, overcoming what was previously expected of our unorganized army.
Alas we outsmarted those damn unionists, with their inept tactics and their inability to
fight with their hearts. Our execution was flawless Mary, and it pleases me to say they
were caught with their waistbands down around their ankles. Apparently, Ive made
quite a name for myself here in Virginia. The men have been referring to me as
StoneWall for my ability to hold the lines. How far I have come from those days at
VMI! As you know Robert E Lee, our general, was a huge inspiration to me while i was
still enrolled at West point! His command inspired me to execute my plans well. During
my time away please know that I miss you desperately Mary and keep you in my mind
daily while fighting for the Confederacy.

*Looks at aid; Get out! I need to speak to my wife about more delicate
topics which arent for your ears. *Aid Leaves; Ah, now for matters of a more
personal nature. Darling how much Ive missed you, but truly, its hard to find time for
me to write to you. Im so busy and these tactics we are using are so different than the
strategies of my first battles in the Mexican American War. The troops are hurt after that
tough battle of Bull Run, we are weak and tired. I am sad to report my darling Mary that
we have lost nearly 2,000 brave soldiers to death, injury, and captivity, and although it
may not seem like a large number for our first major battle of this Civil War, I assure you
that its a significant loss to me personally. We need to regroup and prepare for what is
going to come in the forthcoming battles. At present we are uncertain of the unionists
next move. Currently, the unionists are retreating. Their 30 hour journey, back to their
beloved Washington D.C, to confer with their Republican friends will be arduous.Their
beloved President Abraham Lincoln and their weak General, Irvin McDowell, must be
squirming trying to rebuild their numbers.
Mary, I am torn. While I am here now writing to you, I too need to be formulating
plans to rebuilding our losses. I cannot be wasting time, not that youre a waste of time
my dear, but I must get back to my men. As my new nickname implies, I am a
placeholder for our army, and it is necessary for me to show General Lee, that I have
more to offer. Who knows, perhaps someday I will become a Renegade General myself
if I continue on with my good works. I love, and miss you Mary.
Sincerely yours, Thomas.