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A lawyer, soldier and politician, was Gen. Jackson. He was born
September 24, 1823, in Fayette County, Ky., and was the son of David
Jackson, a farmer, and Juliet Streshley of Woodford County, Ky. He
was thoroughly educated, and graduated in letters at Jefferson
College. He studied law, and graduated from the Law Department of
Transylvania University in 1845. When the war with Mexico began, he
volunteered and served for a time as a Lieutenant; but having had an
" affair of honor " with Thomas F. Marshall, who belonged to the
same regiment, and fearing court-martial, he resigned and returned.
home. He soon after located in Greenup County, and in 1849 was a
candidate for election to the last Constitutional Convention, but
was defeated. He subsequently removed to Christian County, and in
1859 was candidate for Congress on the Know-Nothing ticket, but was
again defeated. While residing at Hopkinsville, in 1861 he was
elected to the Thirty-seventh Congress from the Second District.
While serving in Congress, President Lincoln tendered him the
command of a regiment, and, accordingly, October 1, 1861, he took
command of the Third Kentucky Cavalry, and his regiment was mustered
into service December 13, in the same year. Immediately after
organization his regiment was used on scout duty in Southwestern
Kentucky, a section of the State then under the control .of the
Confederates. He was subsequently assigned to the division of Gen.
T. L. Crittenden; was engaged with his regiment on the field of
Shiloh; was at Corinth and Iuka, Miss.; at Florence and Athens,
Ala.; and at the latter place his regiment passed into the command
of Col. Eli H. Murray, the present Governor of Utah Territory, and
himself promoted Brigadier-General August 13, 1862. From Decherd,
Tenn., at the head of his brigade he commenced the pursuit of Bragg,
who was then advancing into Kentucky. At New Haven, Ky., he assisted
in the capture of the Third Georgia Cavalry; and fell, valiantly
fighting, at the head of his brigade in the battle of Perryville,
October 4, 1862. This was the first engagement of importance in
which he had participated after his promotion, and he was thus cut
off in the beginning of a career that promised unusual brilliancy.
Gen. Jackson was a man of many peculiar, marked and admirable
traits. He was distinguished for his graceful form and almost
feminine beauty of countenance. He had the manners of a
Chesterfield, and was one of the most knightly soldiers who ever
drew a sword on the battle field. Of his death Col. Forney wrote: "
To die such a death and for such a cause was the highest ambition of
a man like James S. Jackson. He was the highest type of the Kentucky
gentleman. To a commanding person he added an exquisite grace and
suavity of manner, and a character that seemed to embody the purest
and noblest chivalry. He was a Union man for the sake of the Union;
and now, with his heart's blood he has sealed his devotion to the
flag. He leaves a multitude of friends who will honor his courage
and patriotism, and mourn his untimely and gallant end."
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