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William L. "Mudwall" Jackson (February 3, 1825 – March 26, 1890) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. He was a second cousin of the more famous Confederate general, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.
William Jackson was born in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1847. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1850 to 1852, and was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1861.
When the Civil War broke out, Jackson joined the Confederate Army. He served on the staff of his cousin, Stonewall Jackson, and was jokingly nicknamed "Mudwall" Jackson. In 1863, Jackson led troops against his former Ritchie County neighbor, Union General Thomas Harris. He served under General W. E. "Grumble" Jones during the Jones-Imboden Raid into the Little Kanawha Valley. Jackson was promoted to brigadier general in 1864 and commanded forces at the Battle of Droop Mountain.
After the war, Jackson returned to Parkersburg, Virginia, but found the atmosphere hostile. He moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where he served as a circuit judge until his death.
Jackson's nickname "Mudwall" is somewhat controversial. Some historians believe that the nickname was originally given to another Confederate general, Alfred E. Jackson, and that the two were mixed up in historical records. However, other historians believe that William Jackson did earn the nickname "Mudwall" for his tendency to move slowly and cautiously in battle.
Regardless of the origin of his nickname, William Jackson was a significant figure in the Confederate Army. He was a competent and experienced officer who served with distinction throughout the war.
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