This is a delightful book of letters written by General "Stonewall" Jackson to his wife, during the time he served in the Confederate army. The editor of this little book has added pertinent information about the history surrounding the time these letters were penned, fleshing out the characters and the culture. But the best part of this book, for me, was the sweetness, affection, and endearing prose exhibited by Jackson in the missives penned by him, and sent to his wife, Anna. ( )

In Beloved Bride: The Letters of Stonewall Jackson to His Wife, Bill Potter presents some of Stonewall's letters to his wife, Anna, written during the war. These letters give a beautiful insight into the mind of the military hero. They show his deep love and respect for his wife, his country and his God.

There are glimpses into their everyday life, as he discusses gardening, tithes, and his consent for one of their slaves to marry. He referrs to Anna as his "dove" or "beloved" or "esposa" and makes it clear that he dearly loves her.

Very little is ever mentioned of the hardships of camplife or war. My guess is that he wished to shield her from that as much as possible. He continually encouraged her to put her faith in God for his protection and reminded her that his life was in God's hands.

His letters show him as a gentle, though strong and steadfast, man, with great respect for others trying hard to live the Christian life. If he treated the troops under his command with the same respect that he seemed to show in all the other aspects of his life, it is no wonder they cheered when they saw him.

Over all, this is a warm, uplifting read that gave me an even greater respect and admiration for Stonewall. It is a nice change to see the private life of a hero match his public life. ( )

This book is a revealing look at the relationship Stonewall Jackson had with his wife. The book adds dimension to an historical figure that most people see as an icon. ( )