What happened to the "Rally behind the Virginians" part? Is that a Foote-ism or something?
Shelby got his version from the Southern Historical Society Papers, which anyone who knows me will tell you I put little credibility in.
Here's how Professor Robertson puts it:
"Over on the right of Jackson's line, a solitary horseman came up from the bottom of Henry Hill. The man was fully six feet tall, and he sat in the saddle with the mature bearing of a soldier. Jet-black eyes, dark mustache and goatee, long hair, and a general's uniform 'made him the cynosure of all,' one of Jackson's men commented. The officer reined to a halt inside the lines and inquired what troops they were. A surgeon identified the valley brigade and pointed to Jackson giving instructions. As the rider approached, Jackson instantly recognized his West Point friend and comrade-in-arms, Barnard Bee. The South Carolinian saluted quickly and, with understandable agitation, gave a quick report of the collapse of his lines. He suddenly exclaimed, 'General they are driving us!' Jackson looked to the northwest with brutal determination etched in his face. His reply was just as stern: 'Sir, we will give them the bayonet.'
"Now occurred one of those dramatic moments in history when legend is born. Bee had no high regard for the bayonet, but Jackson's resolve filled him with new confidence. The Carolinian galloped back to the ravine where officers were trying to untangle bits and pieces of units and establish a defensive line. Bee rode into the middle of the throng; pointing his sword toward the crest of Henry Hill, he shouted in a booming voice: 'Look, men, there is Jackson standing like a stone wall! Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer! Follow me!' Bee would die there later in the day. He gave to the Southern cause not only his life but also the most famous nickname in American military history." [James I. Robertson, _Stonewall Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend,_ pp. 263-264]
On page 835, in the discussion of footnote 37, Prof. Robertson goes into great detail about the various versions of what Bee said and goes into the charge by two officers with axes to grind against Jackson that Bee meant it in a disparaging way.
Douglas Southall Freeman also discusses the origin of the nickname in _Lee's Lieutenants,_ Vol 1, pp. 733-734. Prof. Robertson says that Freeman's conclusions "remain sound."
I'm prejudiced, since I studied Civil War History from Prof. Robertson, but I think he is the most authoritative voice on Jackson.
Regards,
Cash