Conrad Feger Jackson

[Stryker65]

Hey all,
I have an interest in General Conrad Jackson, of the Pennsylvania Reserves. It's been a while since I've really looked into this, but does anyone know where he was killed? Just wondering if he fell before, during, or after his brigade took the railroad, as shown in the image below, at the very bottom.

-Stryker

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Believe Union BG Conrad Jackson was killed while his brigade occupied the R,F & P Railroad. This was described in detail by Francis O'Reilly in 'The Fredericksburg Campaign' at pp 170-71.

After driving out Alexander's 1st. TN skirmishers from the railroad, Jackson's brigade crossed the railroad to launch assaults against the Confederate defenders on Prospect Hill, only to be driven back under heavy fire. Most of the brigade withdrew to the shelter of a 3 feet deep ditch adjacent to, and along the line of, the eastern side of the railroad. Apparently, while Jackson rode along this ditch, trying to rally the shambles of his brigade for another assault, he attracted salvos from Tennesseans believed to be from both the 7th. and 14th TN of Archer's brigade. After Jackson was shot from his horse, he leapt onto the railbed and waved his sword to stir his men in the ditch. At this moment, he was killed instantly when shot in the head and he fell lifeless into the ditch next to the railroad line. In the following days, when the dead General's body was found, it was reported that his uniform coat was missing – seemingly taken by scavengers.

 

[Stryker65]

Believe Union BG Conrad Jackson was killed while his brigade occupied the R,F & P Railroad. This was described in detail by Francis O'Reilly in 'The Fredericksburg Campaign' at pp 170-71.

After driving out Alexander's 1st. TN skirmishers from the railroad, Jackson's brigade crossed the railroad to launch assaults against the Confederate defenders on Prospect Hill, only to be driven back under heavy fire. Most of the brigade withdrew to the shelter of a 3 feet deep ditch adjacent to, and along the line of, the eastern side of the railroad. Apparently, while Jackson rode along this ditch, trying to rally the shambles of his brigade for another assault, he attracted salvos from Tennesseans believed to be from both the 7th. and 14th TN of Archer's brigade. After Jackson was shot from his horse, he leapt onto the railbed and waved his sword to stir his men in the ditch. At this moment, he was killed instantly when shot in the head and he fell lifeless into the ditch next to the railroad line. In the following days, when the dead General's body was found, it was reported that his uniform coat was missing – seemingly taken by scavengers.

I read somewhere that he was killed BY being shot from his horse. Thanks for clearing it up!