The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1901-10-16
Why the Battle was Called Bull Ron.


In Things and Thoughts published at Winchester.
Va Dr. James X. Graham relates in charming style
Some "reminiscences of Stonewall Jackson" who
with Mrs. Jackson found a home with Dr. Graham
during the first winter of the wa Showing Gen
eral Jacksons appreciation of the humorous Dr. Ora
ham tells the following story:
Early one afternoon he brought to me a stranger
OF imposing appearance-Rev. DIR. Kay, Presby-
terrain minister from London, who had come through
the lines and presented himself at headquarters with
letters of introduction The General evidently did
not know what to do with his guest but we readily
provided for his entertainment and he remained in
town Tor fortnight or more preaching twice in my
church. He a man of singular attractions:
highly educated quick witted versatile of rare ac
complshments as scholar and of charming elo-
quence as preacher but the object of his visit to
the Confederacy remains a mystery to me- His adj
dress and conversation so fascinating that the
General spent the remainder of the day with u.s. The
Doctor, who had Just arrived from England had en-
countered frightfu storm in mid ocean: and his
description of the peril in which his ship-the Great
EdSfeTH-waS placed, and their marvellous rescue
after rolling and tossing hepessy for three DAYS at
the mercy of wave and tempest, was as graphic and
thrilling anything | ever read from the pen of
Victor Hugo. While we were still under the smell
OF this exciting narrative, he struck different view
Beginning with compliment the bravery and skill
OF the Confederate troops at Bull Run, and paving
graceful but delicate tribute to the General him
SELL he told, IN strain of inimabe drollery of the
quandary In which he was thrown by the name Bull
Run, when he first heard it. 1t was in London the
morning after the battle He had left home some
what late to meet an important engagement. Upon
reaching The Strand, through which his course Law
his ears greeted with the cry of the newsbovs.
Great Battlefield Victory-Bul RUM" AS he
noticed that every how was crviro .'P,,u De-,
asked himself, what does this mean-why mention
a circumstance so insignificant What has the run
ming of bull to do with great battle? Surely this
was some nonsense of the newsboys! But gancing
at the bulletin, as ne hurried past newspaper build
ing, his eyes caught on the board in large letters
the same words Great Battle-Bu Run" This in
creased his perplcXity and as he uuckened his pace
the puzzng question would repeat itself "Whv did
the bull run? and what possible connection could
there be between his running and the progress or
issue OF the hghtF His own to his question
was the battle fought where herd was feed
ing,-the cattle stampeded and the lord of the
herd distinguished himself by some peculiar running
perhaps, by rushing into the Federal ranks, and
thereby producing sudden panic and fight Re
icved by this happy solution he cheer fully pursued
his way till realizing its utter inadequacy he in his
desperation, and regardless now of his engagement
wheeled about to obtain a paper and have this per
picking matter set finally at rest But in another
moment, he paused in amazement at his own gross
stupidity in not perceving from the first the truth
that was now obvious, that Bun was the name
OF the Federal commander, who when his army was
defeated, ran-or, the boys, with their usual dsre
gard OF grammar, put it run" Entirely satisfied
with this most simple and natural explanation he
met his appointment and quietly returned to his
home This droll recital made thoroughly realistic