Hey everyone, welcome to the 55th episode of our Civil War podcast.

My name is Rich.

And I'm Tracy.

Hello y'all.

Thanks for tuning into the podcast.

At the end of the last show, the Union Army was finally ready to march from Centerville

and turn the Confederates left flank.

Johnston's men had left the Shenandoah and had started to roll into Manassas Junction,

and Boe Regarde was still cherishing plans of taking the offensive and turning the tables

on McDowell.

Many years later, Boe Regarde would recall that, quote,

the political hostilities of a generation were now faced to face with weapons instead of

words.

Defeat to either side would be a deep mortification, but defeat to the south must

turn its claim of independence into an empty boast.

Sunday, July 21st, bearing the fate of the newborn Confederacy, broke brightly over the

fields and woods that held the hostile forces.

End quote.

People back in the Civil War era used the phrase to see the elephant, to describe having

been through some memorable experience.

Others who had fought in the Mexican War used the phrase.

After experiencing combat, they would say, I have seen the elephant.

...