The Birches link to 'Stonewall' Jackson
Famous American Civil War General Thomas Jonathan 'Stonewall' Jackson's family forebears came from the Birches / Tartaraghhan area of County Armagh, near the shores of Lough Neagh.
Stonewall Jackson's Ulster family links date back to the 17th Century. He grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, had a committed Christian faith and had a distinguished military career from West Point military college to the battle fields in the Civil War. He was tragically killed in action in 1864, aged only 39.
General Jackson got his nickname from a Confederate Army Colleague, who said: 'There stands Jackson like a stone wall'.
A memorial to Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson is erected at the Birches and the 'Stonewall' Jackson Appreciation Society plans to develop the link.
Maghery Country Park