If you’re new to the Valley, you might have noticed that quite a few things around here are named after Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson. There’s the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center in Staunton, the Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington, the Stonewall Jackson Inn in Harrisonburg, Stonewall Jackson High School in Quicksburg … the list goes on and on. So why all the fuss over a Confederate general who died nearly 150 years ago? For locals, the answer is simple — in 1862, Jackson and 17,000 bedraggled rebels whipped 65,000 better-equipped U.S. troops and drove them out of the Shenandoah Valley.

It all started in early March when Maj.-Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks and 20,000 Yankees seized Jackson’s headquarters at Winchester. Forced to retreat south, the Confederate commander bivouacked at Mount Jackson where the big water tower with apples on it stands today. There, he waited for an opportunity to pounce on the northern invaders. When word came that Banks was moving most of his troops out of the area (faulty intelligence as it turned out), Jackson launched an attack that resulted in a Confederate loss at the Battle of Kernstown. Emboldened by victory, Banks pushed deeper into the Valley, eventually reaching Harrisonburg. Jackson retreated again, this time to modern-day Elkton. Next >>

Fun And Food at Jackson House Annual Apple Day Celebration

The annual “Apple Day” fall celebration at the Stonewall Jackson House in Lexington is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Watch apple cider being made in the garden with a hand cranked cider press. Free samples of cider and ginger snaps will be provided. Previous participants will discover a new set of games and crafts reminiscent of the nineteenth century along with some old favorites.

The garden and museum shop will be open to the public free of charge. Tours of the Jackson House will be offered at regular admission price on the hour and half hour.

The Stonewall Jackson House is located at 8 East Washington Street, Lexington, Virginia. For more information call 463-2552 or visit www.stonewalljackson.org

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