re: 158 years ago this evening, Stonewall Jackson was shot by his own men...

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If Stonewall doesnt die, the CSA wins the war (or at the very least, avoids defeat)

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The what if regarding Stonewall is one of those great mysteries.

I personally don’t think the CSA would’ve won the war with him, the Union had the tremendous manpower and industrial advantage. I think at most they could’ve forced public support in the North towards to the war to completely collapse, it was already teetering at this point.

Maybe the South could’ve forced an Armistice or something, but an outright victory even with Stonewall seems unlikely. Even with a CSA victory at Gettysburg the Union could’ve just regrouped, they had the manpower to. Also, everyone always forgets Grant was running roughshod in the West at the same time anyways. The Deep South was effectively beaten, all that would’ve remained was the Army of Northern Virginia.

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The south didn’t need to win. They needed to make the north go home.

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This.

People view this as a tactical struggle. They fail to take into account how unpopular the war was in the North. That was the purpose of the Pennsylvania campaign. To create a political climate where the Union would sue for peace. Problem is, people also fail to take into account how iron-willed Lincoln was. He would not have been cowed into a peace settlement.

Don’t have to like the facts, but you do have to acknowledge them.

I didn’t say they did, I said they may not in the same sentence.

The biggest fallacy people make in the alternative history scenario of Jackson being at Gettysburg is thinking the battle would have been fought at Gettysburg at all if, presumably, Jackson managed to take either Cemetery Hill or Culp's Hill on the evening of July 1. They fail to take into account Meade's desire to lure the Confederate army into Maryland and have the decisive battle be fought at Pipe Creek, near Union Mills.

The only reason why the Battle of Gettysburg went down the way it did is because the Union retained possession of those two vital hills. Had Ewell (or Jackson, assuming he survived Chancellorsville) managed to take them, Meade would have simply ordered the Union army to retreat back into Maryland. Gettysburg, therefore, would have gone down in history as a prelude to the larger and more decisive battle.

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It always amazes me how some people can pass by an area unaware of the historical significance that place has in history

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The reason I have few problems with some historical markers proclaiming " X Civil War battle was fought at this site & Stonewall Jackson was mortally wounded ...." .

But I have problems with statues & monuments( on public property) to ANY soldiers & Politicians who are supposed to be mere public servants . Some complain that Politicians are arrogant , think they are " above the law" & "Elites who look down on flyover states". Yet some literally place Politicians on pedestals with statues / monuments & then wonder why Politicians are full of themselves or feel so self righteous about their profession. (End rant)

Thar he stands, steadfastly, like a stone wall!!

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Isn't there some debate about the origin of the nickname "Stonewall"? I think some take it as he was an impenetrable force, while others claim he often showed the inability to act, stood there like a stone wall.

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The officer attributed with the nickname, Brigadier General Bernard Elliott Bee, Jr., died that day. It is commonly stated he was referring to the stedfast courage of Jackson. However, there are some (not many) that say he was referring to Jackson in a derisive manner.

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Absurd! The CSA had no chance against the USA. The asymmetry in factories, etc meant it was a matter of time. Their ports were blockaded, and they had no means to sustain themselves in a protracted war.

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you are so ignorant of the truth. Jackson would have burned DC to the ground before any of that mattered. That's just a fact. I couldn't care less who won but they were able to take plenty of weapons and ammunition from the union soldiers.

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Had Meade retreated back to Maryland it is then possible Lee threatens a larger metro area of the north.

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Doubtful.

Lee's main objective was to draw the Union army into battle. Once that battle commenced, there would be no turning back. He would have followed Meade into Maryland and would have either a) attempted to maneuver Meade out of his Pipe Creek position or b) attacked.