Why the Differences in Army/Battle Naming Conventions?

[JeffBrooks]

It's well known that the South tended to name their armies and battles after towns or states (i.e. Army of Tennessee, Battle of Murfreesboro) while the North tended to name them after rivers (i.e. Army of the Cumberland, Battle of Stones River). My question is simply why this was so. When was this decision made by the respective sides and what caused them to decide the way they did?

 

[huskerblitz]

From History.com
http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/why-do-some-civil-war-battles-have-two-names

Northern soldiers, far more likely to hail from cities or urbanized areas, are believed to have been impressed with the geography of the south, including its mountains, valleys and abundant rivers and streams. In unfamiliar territory, they named many of their battles after these natural features. For Confederate troops, familiar with the rural, natural terrain, towns and buildings were more memorable, and in the south many of the same battles were referred to after the man-made structures nearby.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

From History.com
http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/why-do-some-civil-war-battles-have-two-names

Northern soldiers, far more likely to hail from cities or urbanized areas, are believed to have been impressed with the geography of the south, including its mountains, valleys and abundant rivers and streams. In unfamiliar territory, they named many of their battles after these natural features. For Confederate troops, familiar with the rural, natural terrain, towns and buildings were more memorable, and in the south many of the same battles were referred to after the man-made structures nearby.

Another interesting difference between Northerners and Southerners. Thanks for sharing.

 

[KLSDAD]

I think another factor, one that I have heard before anyways, is that the South was likely to be defending a town (Mannasas or Sharpsburg) while the north was attempting to take a position (Bull Run or Antietam Creek).