I still have my BIG announcement coming next week, but in the meantime, I would be remiss if I didn’t join my brothers in the blogosphere and acknowledge this week's anniversary of the Battle of First Manassas. "First Bull Run" as some of you call it, initiated a conflict that would change the course of American history. Of course you can’t mention Manassas Battlefield without including the subject of its signature monument. Here is an excerpt from Chapter 7 of Onward Christian Soldier, my first and still one of my most popular books:

...Perhaps best known as “Stonewall,” Thomas J. Jackson earned his nickname at the First Battle of Manassas, after refusing to withdraw his troops in the face of total carnage. As Brigadier General Barnard Bee was informing him that his forces were being beaten back, Jackson interrupted, shouting, “Sir, we will give them the bayonet.” Inspired by the bravery of his subordinate, General Bee immediately rallied the remnants of his brigade, while shouting “There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer.”

A devout Presbyterian and believer in predestination, Jackson insisted that God had already determined his time on Earth and that no spot on the battlefield was safer than the other. He once said, “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me.” It was this unwavering conviction that enabled him to lead his troops into battle without the fear of death and inspire countless others to rally behind him.

After their distinguished service at Manassas, word quickly spread of the gallantry of Old Jack and his Men of the Valley. Eventually the “Stonewall” moniker spread to encompass the entire brigade, which became the only Confederate force ever to have its nickname become an official designation.

That fall, Jackson was duly promoted to major general, and would continue to advance throughout his career. In total, his assignments would include: commanding the 1st Brigade, Army of the Shenandoah (May-July 20, 1861); brigadier general, CSA (June 17, 1861); commanding the 1st Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac (July 20-October 1861); major general, CSA (October 7, 1861); commanding the Valley District, Department of Northern Virginia (November 4, 1861-June 26, 1862); commanding the 2nd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia (June 26, 1862-May 2, 1863); and lieutenant general, CSA (October 10, 1862).

In May of 1862, Jackson and his troops took part in what is still considered one of the most brilliant and successful missions in American military history, the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. During that time, over seventeen thousand Confederates marched more than six hundred miles to participate in four major battles and seven minor engagements. When it was over, Jackson’s troops had defeated four sizable Union armies, while capturing nine pieces of artillery, ten thousand small arms, and four thousand prisoners…

BONUS: If you are interested in that campaign, here are the transcripts from my lecture on the subject titled Jackson’s Journey: Stonewall in the Valley.

This weekend marks the 148th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863). Gettysburg has always had a special place in my heart and as much as I enjoy living here in Fredericksburg, I wouldn’t mind living there either. You could say that Gettysburg is the entire reason that I became interested in history and later pursued it as the focus of my writing vocation. I recently posted a piece about my childhood experiences at Fort Ligonier Days, but Gettysburg, more than anywhere, made me the historian that I am today.

Family time was always an important part of my childhood and vacations were eagerly anticipated in the Aubrecht house. Over the years, we had driven or flown to several destinations including Disneyworld, Niagara Falls, and Sea World. All of them were magical, but none as special as the place we visited in 1978. That was the summer my family traveled to the National Military Park at Gettysburg.

I remember it like it was yesterday and how funny the name "Gettysburg" sounded to me at the time. I also recall how I had absolutely no idea what was there. Did it have an amusement park, or a beach, or maybe some natural wonder, or a water park? Those were the types of getaways I was used to. "Nope." my mother said, "Don't worry. I think you'll like it." For some reason, both my mother and father kept the main attraction a surprise and I vividly recall asking them repeatedly on the drive there, where were we going and what we would see.

After what seemed like days, we finally arrived at this little tourist town in Pennsylvania greeted by miles of wooden rail fences and wheat fields. "What is this?" I asked myself, "Some kind of farm?" Pulling into the town, I can still picture all of the flags (both Union and Confederate) that adorned the doorways of virtually every store and hotel in sight. I also remember seeing what I thought were blue and gray cowboys painted on the signs for several museums and attractions. "Whatever took place here," I told myself, "it happened a long time ago."

As we checked in, my parents gave me a very brief introduction on where we were and why we were there. Hearing the key word "war," my mind began to race as I tried to take it all in. A Civil War? Americans fighting Americans? Soldiers? Slaves? Instantly a mass of both familiar and foreign terms sparked my interest. As we departed the hotel and began to sightsee, I found myself becoming more and more excited about where we were and what I was about to experience. I recall seeing real cannons for the first time and lots of big gray statues and monuments. I remember feeling so small while looking up at these giant bearded guys on horses that were wielding guns and swords. Very cool. Very cool indeed!

The battlefield itself was a bit of a bore initially as endless rock outcroppings and miles of grassy fields failed to capture the imagination of this six year-old boy. On the other hand, the many museums and other attractions we later visited really caught my eye. I clearly remember every sight we saw including the Electric Map, Wax Museum, Robert E. Lee's Headquarters, Jenny Wade's House, the Gettysburg Cyclorama, and of course the National Cemetery where miles and miles of tombstones mark the graves of fallen brothers in arms. After attending every show and spectacle available, the battlefield took on a whole new meaning and I vividly recall our second tour out to hallowed locations like Seminary Ridge, Little Round Top, High Water Mark, the site of Pickett's Charge and Devil's Den.

I remember ducking down behind the stone walls and pretending it was July of 1863. Often I would force my little sister to play the role of the "loser" in that particular melee and I must have shot her dead a thousand times. (Sorry Melissa.)

As our vacation progressed, the tales of these men and the three-day battle in which they participated captivated me. I began to understand the impact of the Civil War and respected the North's battle to preserve the Union, as well as the South's fight for state's rights. Initially, I struggled to find the villain in all of this. After all, when I played army at home it was always me, the American, fighting the Germans or Japanese. This "civil" war however was very different and even I could not bring myself to judge either the blue or the gray. Ultimately, neither side were true enemies.

Over the next few days, I spent every waking minute possible soaking up as much knowledge as I could on the War Between the States. I also soaked up a ton of souvenirs and went home loaded down with a kepi hat, musket pistol, books, toy soldiers, postcards, maps and even a bunch of View Master discs (remember those) that featured the photography of Matthew Brady. In retrospect, Mom and Dad definitely shelled out some cash on that trip. The following year we returned again and I don't think I ever anticipated a family vacation as much as that one. By then I was a seasoned seven year-old Civil War Buff who had even memorized the Gettysburg Address. "Four score and seven years ago…" This time, I understood exactly where we were and the sacrifice of the men President Lincoln honored in that speech.

What had started off as a simple family vacation changed my life forever as Gettysburg left an indefinable impression on me that remains to this very day. Now I live in Fredericksburg, Virginia and the same magic that I experienced in the north now surrounds me in the south. Just as I cannot forget this childhood experience, I cannot forget the men who fought and died so that America could be reborn in unity. God Bless every Billy Yank and Johnny Reb who fell on the fields of battle all across America and God Bless my parents who introduced me to them all.