Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Stonewall Jackson" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media on Illustration Board Painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 32c "Stonewall" Jackson Classic Collection Series stamp issued June 29, 1995. Thomas Jonathan Jackson graduated from West Point in 1846, 17th in his class. Choosing artillery as his branch of service, Jackson won recognition in the Mexican War and served in the Florida Seminole Theatre in 1850. But an altercation with his commanding officer led to his resignation on May 21, 1851. Three months later, he became a professor at Virginia Military Institute. Those who knew him best called him a "grand, gloomy and peculiarly good man." When Virginia seceded from the Union on April 17, 1861, Jackson left VMI and was commissioned a colonel in the Virginia state forces. Following success in his initial battle at Falling Waters, Virginia, July 2, 1861, he was commissioned a brigadier general in the Confederate Army. During the first Battle of Bull Run, as Jackson held the Southern front against a Union flank attack, General Barnard E. Bee rallied the rest of his troops by shouting "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer." Victory was achieved and the name "Stonewall" stuck. On May 2, 1863, after a day of fierce fighting at Chancellorsville, Jackson and his staff trotted ahead of the Confederate line to reconnoiter. As they rode back they were mistaken for Federals and fired on. Jackson's left arm was shattered and had to be amputated. He died on Sunday, May 10, 1863, after uttering, "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees." Image Size: 14 x 13 in. Overall Size: 23 x 18 in. Unframed. (B15206)