Jackson was Nicknamed Stonewall Because of This Texas Connection

AUSTIN, TX — On this day in history, a general with a connection to Texas who also gave Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson his nickname fell in battle.

Barnard Elliott Bee, Jr., born on February 8, 1824, in Charleston, South Carolina, was a Confederate general whose legacy is intertwined with both Texas and the broader narrative of the Civil War. His family moved to the Republic of Texas in 1836, where his father, Barnard E. Bee, Sr., served as secretary of state. Bee, however, remained in South Carolina with relatives to further his education, eventually attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. Graduating in 1845, Bee embarked on a military career that saw him distinguished for his valor during the Mexican-American War, where he was twice brevetted for gallantry.

Following his commendable service in the Mexican-American War, Bee was stationed in various capacities, including as adjutant in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and on frontier duty in New Mexico. His promotion to captain in 1855 saw him stationed at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, where he married Sophia Elizabeth Hill. Bee's military journey also included involvement in the Utah War, commanding the Utah Volunteer Battalion, and a brief tenure as commanding officer at Fort Laramie in Wyoming.

The onset of the Civil War presented a profound dilemma for Bee, as it did for many Southern officers. Torn between loyalty to his home state and the United States, Bee ultimately resigned from the U.S. Army on March 3, 1861, joining the Confederate cause. He was appointed brigadier general on June 17, 1861, commanding a brigade in General Joseph E. Johnston’s Army of the Shenandoah.

Bee's most significant and lasting contribution came during the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) on July 21, 1861. Leading his brigade against Union forces, Bee reportedly inspired his men by pointing to General Thomas J. Jackson and proclaiming, "There stands Jackson like a stone wall," thus coining the famous nickname "Stonewall" Jackson.

Bee's colleague General Thomas Jonathan Jackson was forever known as "Stonewall."

Tragically, Bee at the age of 37 was mortally wounded during the battle and succumbed to his injuries on July 22, 1861, making him one of the first Confederate generals to die in the conflict. He is buried in Pendleton, South Carolina.

Bee's death was a significant loss for the Confederacy, and his bravery was commemorated by the South Carolina House of Representatives. His contributions to the Confederate cause and his connection to the legendary "Stonewall" Jackson cement his place in Civil War history. In Texas, Bee's legacy endures through Bee County and the city of Beeville, named after his father, reflecting the family's lasting impact on the state.