I'd argue that Stonewall as a moniker fits better for Cleburne than Jackson. While Jackson does a good job defending in both Bull Runs, his other defensive actions at Antietam and Fredericksburg are quite messy. His reputation as the Confederacy's wunderkind is due to his offensive actions in the Shenandoah and Chancellorsville. Meanwhile, Cleburne's track record on defense is much more impressive, even though it is usually on a much smaller scale. Though I prefer his other moniker from Lee, "The Meteor", I'd say Stonewall fits well in my mind.
That said, I always find these monikers of "___ of the West" to be more of an attempt by Western theater historians to bring more attention from the Eastern Theater that dominates the layman's perspective of the war, with obsession over Lee, Jackson, and Stuart and the titanic battles they fought.
Agree with these assertions.
Apparently, Confederate B-G Barnard Bee Jr. was attributed with originally giving Jackson the moniker 'Stonewall' from his vocal description during fighting of Jackson's actions at First Bull Run (First Manassas), on July 21, 1861. It is not known for certain what he exactly said, because he was mortally wounded and died the next day. However, the tag stuck when it was published in Southern newspapers shortly afterwards.
Interestingly, an evaluation of Jackson's subsequent battlefield performances do not bear out the defensive connotations of his given nickname. Take a look at his actions during the Valley Campaign, the Peninsular Campaign, the Maryland Campaign and at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.
Both Jackson and Cleburne were offensively oriented, although Cleburne's best efforts were perhaps seen in his defensive actions at places like Missionary Ridge, Ringgold Gap and Pickett's Mill. Cleburne's effectiveness, though, as a combat Division leader is not in dispute.
A notable difference between the two in achieving their battlefield successes was that Jackson commanded larger organizations than Cleburne. Jackson repeatedly displayed a proven ability to command large scale formations of Corps or small Army size. In contrast, Cleburne was a trusted reliable subordinate who was flexible and adept at managing smaller scale units at Division level, in combat. Hardee thought he lacked the independent initiative to be a good Corps (or Army) commander. I tend to agree with this assessment. I seriously doubt that Corps or Army command would have suited Cleburne's nature from what is known about him.
I personally think the popularized 'Stonewall' moniker is an inappropriate description for Jackson, whereas a label like 'Meteor' would have been more apt for him. Based on actual battlefield conduct, the nickname 'Stonewall' would better suit Cleburne.
The invented label, ….'Stonewall of the West'…..is interesting. It supports the notion that the western theater was considered separately, and not necessarily of equal importance, by history writers. The added words, …'of the West'… perhaps illustrates the thinking that the western theater was the perceived minor theater of the war. It is difficult to imagine, for example, if Cleburne had been the first to be called 'Stonewall', that Jackson would later be described as the 'Stonewall of the East' – implying the eastern theater was secondary and minor. It perhaps also demonstrates the Confederacy's failure to develop a grand and coordinated plan during the war. (The strategic importance of the western theater to the Confederacy was not realized until it was too late).
In my view, the bottom line is that Cleburne probably is more deserving of, and lays better claim to, the stand-alone moniker of 'Stonewall', than does Jackson.