(1825 - 1890) Confederate brigadier general, assigned to the command of Gen. Robert S. Garnett he participated in the Western Virginia Campaign and the battles of Rich Mountain and Cheat Mountain. In July 1861 he was promoted to rank of Colonel. In early 1862 he became a Volunteer Aide-de-camp to his cousin, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson; and participated in his campaigns during the year. In February 1863 Jackson raised the 19th Virginia Cavalry. His regiment joined the Jones-Imboden Raid, and confronted George Crook's Union Army on its return into West Virginia. A very interesting war-date manuscript D.S. ‘Wm. L. Jackson’, 5pp. legal folio, ‘Camp at Monterey’, VA, July 20, 1861, a ‘Statement relation to the Regiment of Infantry commanded by Lt. Col. Jackson…’, listing the officers of the regiment and stating the strength of each of its ten companies. This tabulation is followed by a narrative statement of the regiment’s readiness, in full: ‘All have arms – all percussion muskets except company K, which has Virginia rifles. Very few have bayonet scabbards. None have camp equipages. Very few have one good suit of clothes – none have more. Those stated to be present ready for duty are so much exhausted by the late march from Laurel Hill as to require rest. Most of those absent, except companies B & E, disappeared during that march. It is supposed that most of those having given out on the way will again join their companies. The men have their cartridge boxes filled with cartridges, and caps corresponding. There are moreover 6500 percussion caps which were found on the late march and brought on, and one box of cartridges placed in possession of the regiment by Lt. Till of the ordinance department during the same march.’ Jackson signs at the conclusion in blue ink, adding his contemporary rank Lt Col Comd Regt Va Vols’, and with his adjutant countersigning. Shows original folds, faintly toned at the extreme edges and with archival tape residue to the fourth and the verso of the final pages, otherwise in very good to fine condition overall. Jackson’s force had just been forced to retire from Laurel Mountain (the ‘Laurel Hill’ referenced above) after the defeat of Confederate forces by McClellan and Rosecrans at Rich Mountain on July 11, 1861.