Grand Exit

Grand Exit

Suzanne Marsh

“Today, class, we are studying the Civil War. Open your American History book to page

two-hundred.” Miss Watson waited as the class silently opened their history books.

The class groaned almost in unison as Miss Watson began:

“The American Civil War began with the firing on Fort Sumter on April 12th, 1861 it ended

four years later on April 9, 1865. We will be discussing the most important battles, their

locations, and the generals who fought for the Union as well as the Confederacy. We

are going to reenact those battles. Your homework assignment is to choose a battle,

write a short story about the General who led the troops, it can be either a Union or

Confederate general.”

Naturally, there was muttering. Miss Watson smiled to herself. She decided to dress as a southern belle for class on Monday. She gave a great deal of thought, then called a costume rental company and ordered kepis for each student. She also spoke to the Principal, Mac Townsend, explaining she required the use of the grounds for several battle reenactments.

The students were in awe as Miss Watson handed each a kepi:

“Who chose the first battle of Bull Run? That is the first major battle of the Civil War.”

A hand shot up:

“Miss Watson, I had a relative at first Manassas, or Bull Run.”

“Jacob, what did you learn about the battle?”

“That I had a relative who fought for the Confederacy. I asked my dad and mom who he was.

My relative was General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.”

Jacob heard a quick intake of breath as Miss Watson began:

“Jacob, did you read the chapters about First Manassas or Bull Run?”

“Yes, Miss Watson, I was on my computer to find more information like how he got the

nickname “Stonewall General Barnard Bee noted Jackson “standing like a stone wall.” My

dad said that Jackson stood resolute during the battle and that the men in his command

admired him. Jackson was wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia. Dad said he was scouting

when he was shot by his own men. It was dark, no moon. He was wounded in his left arm

and right hand. The left arm was amputated. He died May 10, 1863, it was a Sunday.”

Miss Watson announced that each person in class pick a Kepi, whether a blue or gray and tomorrow they would reenact First Manassas or Bull Run.

The sun rose in a huge red ball over the small field next to the school. The law was wet with morning dew. Miss Watson made arrangements with other reenactors to make the battle more authentic. She herself dressed as a southern belle, her hair styled in curls, the class thought she looked as if she stepped out of a history book. She then introduced a reenactor and Lincoln impersonator, who happened to be a relative of Abraham Lincoln. She smiled to herself as the class stared at Mr. Lincoln coming to life before them.

Horses and buggies streamed into the school parking lot, blue and gray shook hands before the reenactment began. The students were in awe as they first canon shots were fired, the battle about to begin. Bugles sounded, General Irvin MacDowell commanding the Army of Northeast Virginia rode his horse onto the field. MacDowell, was heavy set, he was placed in command by General Winfield Scott, commander of the Union Army. General Joseph E. Johnston rode out next, a man of small stature, followed on horseback General P.G.T. Beauregard, commanding. The students had improvised the Henry House, this pleased Miss Watson very much.

More canons fired from both sides; the battle begun. The students charged along with the reenactors, feeling the pull of history. The students gave the part of General Thomas J. Jackson to Jacob, who was almost the same height as Stonewall himself. In his uniform, he almost looked like his relative. Miss Watson was delighted to see him in the part.

Musket fire broke out, horses began to whinny as they waited impatiently for their turn in battle.

Fighting hit fever pitch as the Union and Confederates clashed, muskets barked and canon roared. The commentator noted that the Confederate lines were crumbling from the fierce bombardment from the Union canon. The commanding General of the Confederate Forces in the Shenandoah Valley, (Jacob) rode onto the field and began directing fire. The commentator then noted that General Barnard Bee, South Carolina, was in awe as he sat astride his mount, as he observed General Thomas J. Jackson leading his men into the battle. General Bee, admired the control that General Jackson displayed, he commented to his aide: “There is Jackson, standing like a stone wall.”

Jackson never flinched, as he stood resolute during the battle, his soldiers admired his courage under fire. When he marched through the Shenandoah, his troops doubled timed as much as was possible. Jacob, felt a pride he had never known before, as he directed fire on the Union troops. The Union began to desert the battlefield, most were green troops then. Jacob, now understood the pride his dad felt for his relative, General Jackson. Although the battle was a complete rout on the part of the Union troops, the Southern troops fought in good order.

The battle was now over, the students their faces black from canon powder, had enjoyed every moment of the reenactment. Participating in the battle aided in understanding the Civil War. Miss Watson, her hoop skirt walked slowly toward Jacob:

“You did a fine job Jacob, would you consider joining our group of Civil War reenactors?”

Jacob, was stunned, this was an opportunity to fight in different battles all year long:

“Yes, Miss Watson, I would like to belong to the group. I learned so much today especially

about General Jackson, and how he came by the nickname “Stonewall”. I can’t imagine,

standing as General Jackson did, not flinching as musket balls whirred past him. Miss

Watson, this was the most incredible day I have ever had, I used to hate history, but now,

I understand why history is so important.”

Miss Watson smiled at Jacob:

“Yes, Jacob History is very important, it is a grand exit and entrance into a world most people

never know or understand.”