Ten Totally Random Facts About...Manassas Junction!

Hello Everyone! Today I thought I’d share a bit of Civil War randomness with you. I love random facts about almost anything, so without further ado, let’s get started!

1. There are two names for the first major battle of the War Between the States: First Battle of Manassas Junction (if you are Southern) and First Battle of Bull Run (if you are Northern). Southerners named battles for towns; Northerners named battles for the nearest body of water.
2. The date of the battle was July 21st, 1861. On this same day, in 1669, the Constitution of the English colony Carolina was approved! (They would later split into two colonies, North and South Carolina. Both states were engaged in the fighting!)
3. On the way to the battle, Union soldiers broke out of rank to pick berries. It back fired, though, for many of them ended up with stomach aches.
4. The battle took place on a Sunday. This was also the birthday of Gen. Thomas J. Jackson’s wife, Anna.
5. People came from Washington to watch the battle. They brought carriages and picnic lunches. They later found out that wasn’t such a wise idea.
6. The nickname, “Stonewall” Jackson, was given to the general on this day by Gen. Bernard Bee when he said, “Look, there is Jackson, standing like a stone wall!” Bee later was killed in the battle.
7. This was the first battle where the “Rebel Yell” was used. The 1st Virginia Brigade under Stonewall Jackson shouted across the field when they charged, which shifted the victory of the battle to the South.
8. The Union soldiers took 12 days to reach Manassas from Washington D.C.  for the battle; it took them 12 hours to retreat back to Washington.
9. Following this battle, many on both sides thought the war was over. They would soon learn differently.
10. The Wilbur McLean family lived in the vicinity of the battle. The story goes that a cannon ball came down their chimney, splashing into a pot of stew! After sustaining some battle damage to their home, Mr. McLean moved his family to a safer place to get away from the war- Appomattox Courthouse.
    

Hope you enjoyed these little facts about the First Battle of Manassas Junction! If you would like more info on this battle, get a copy of The Land of Cotton!

Until next time,
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22