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{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="250" style="margin-left:5px"

{{ACWbattle

|align="center" colspan="2"|[[Image:Cwlogo.png|200px]]

|name=First Battle of Bull Run<br/>First Manassas

|-

|image=[[File:1st battle manassas.jpg|300px]]

!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: gray  no-repeat scroll top left;"|First Battle of Bull Run / First Manassas

|begin=21 July 1861

|-

|end=same day

|Fought

|place=Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Virginia

|July 21, 1861

|theater=Eastern Theater

|campaign=Manassas Campaign

!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: gray  no-repeat scroll top left;"|Confederate Army of the Shenandoah

|result=Confederate victory

|-

|combatants1=Army of Northeastern Virginia

|Commander

|combatants2=C.S. Army of the Shenandoah<br/>C.S. Army of the Potomac

|GEN [[Joseph E. Johnston]]

|commanders1=[[Irvin McDowell]]<br/>Maj. General, USA

|commanders2=[[Joseph E. Johnston]]<br/>General, CSA<br/>[[Pierre G. T. Beauregard]]<br/>Brig. General, CSA

|strength1=28,000–35,000 soldiers<br/>18,000 engaged

|strength2=32,000–34,000 soldiers<br/>18,000 engaged

|casualties1='''2,896'''<br/>Killed: 460<br/>Wounded: 1,124<br/>Missing or captured: 1,312

|BGEN [[Pierre G. T. Beauregard]]

|casualties2='''1,982'''<br/>Killed: 387<br/>Wounded: 1,582<br/>Missing: 13

|-

}}

!colspan="2" align="center" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy  no-repeat scroll top left;"|Army of Northeastern Virginia

The '''First Battle of Bull Run''' was the first major battle of the [[American Civil War]], taking place on July 21, 1861 near the town of Manassas, [[Virginia]].  Called '''First Manassas''' by the South, the battle involving green troops on both sides would turn into a major defeat against the Union army, and lead many to conclude that a war thought to last for a few months would drag on for years.

|-

|}

The '''First Battle of Bull Run''' was the first major battle of the [[American Civil War]], taking place on July 21, 1861 near the town of Manassas, Virginia.  Called '''First Manassas''' by the South, the battle involving green troops on both sides would turn into a major defeat against the Union army, and lead many to conclude that a war thought to last for a few months would drag on for years.

==Prelude==

==Prelude==

On 15 April 1861, the day after [[South Carolina]] military forces had attacked and captured [[Fort Sumter]] in Charleston Harbor, President [[Abraham Lincoln]] issued a proclamation declaring an insurrection against the laws of the United States. Earlier, South Carolina and seven other Southern states had declared their secession from the Union and formed the [[Confederate States of America]].

On 15 April 1861, the day after [[South Carolina]] military forces had attacked and captured [[Fort Sumter]] in Charleston Harbor, President [[Abraham Lincoln]] issued a proclamation declaring an insurrection against the laws of the United States. Earlier, South Carolina and seven other Southern states had declared their secession from the Union and formed the [[Confederate States of America]].

To suppress the rebellion and restore Federal law in the Southern states, Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers with ninety-day enlistments to augment the existing U.S. Army of about 15,000. He later accepted an additional 40,000 volunteers with three-year enlistments and increased the strength of the U.S. Army to almost 20,000. Lincoln’s actions caused four more Southern states, including Virginia, to secede and join the Confederacy, and by June 1 the Confederate capital had been moved from [[Montgomery, Alabama]], to [[Richmond, Virginia]].

To suppress the rebellion and restore Federal law in the Southern states, Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers with ninety-day enlistments to augment the existing U.S. Army of about 15,000. He later accepted an additional 40,000 volunteers with three-year enlistments and increased the strength of the U.S. Army to almost 20,000. Lincoln’s actions caused four more Southern states, including Virginia, to secede and join the Confederacy, and by June 1 the Confederate capital had been moved from [[Montgomery]], [[Alabama]], to [[Richmond]], [[Virginia]].

In Washington, D.C., as thousands of volunteers rushed to defend the capital, Lieutenant General Winfield Scott, the General in Chief of the Army, laid out his strategy to subdue the rebellious states. He proposed that an army of 80,000 men be organized and sail down the Mississippi River and capture New Orleans. While the Army “strangled” the Confederacy in the west, the U.S. Navy would blockade Southern ports along the eastern and Gulf coasts. The press ridiculed what they dubbed as Scott’s "[[Anaconda Plan]]." Instead, many believed the capture of the Confederate capital at Richmond, only one hundred miles south of Washington, would quickly end the war.

In Washington, D.C., as thousands of volunteers rushed to defend the capital, Lieutenant General [[Winfield Scott]], the General in Chief of the Army, laid out his strategy to subdue the rebellious states. He proposed that an army of 80,000 men be organized and sail down the [[Mississippi River]] and capture [[New Orleans]]. While the Army “strangled” the Confederacy in the west, the U.S. Navy would blockade Southern ports along the eastern and Gulf coasts. The press ridiculed what they dubbed as Scott’s "[[Anaconda Plan]]." Instead, many believed the capture of the Confederate capital at Richmond, only one hundred miles south of Washington, would quickly end the war.

===Irvin McDowell===

===Irvin McDowell===

By July 1861 thousands of volunteers were camped in and around Washington. Since General Scott was seventy-five years old and physically unable to lead this force, the administration searched for a more suitable field commander. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase championed fellow Ohioan, 42-year-old Major Irvin McDowell. Although McDowell was a West Point graduate, his command experience was limited. In fact, he had spent most of his career engaged in various staff duties in the Adjutant General’s Office. While stationed in Washington he had become acquainted with Chase, a former Ohio governor and senator. Now, through Chase’s influence, McDowell was promoted three grades to brigadier general in the Regular Army and on 27 May was assigned command of the Department of Northeastern Virginia, which included the military forces in and around Washington.

By July 1861 thousands of volunteers were camped in and around Washington. Since General Scott was seventy-five years old and physically unable to lead this force, the administration searched for a more suitable field commander. Secretary of the Treasury [[Salmon P. Chase]] championed fellow Ohioan, 42-year-old Major [[Irvin McDowell]]. Although McDowell was a [[West Point]] graduate, his command experience was limited. In fact, he had spent most of his career engaged in various staff duties in the Adjutant General’s Office. While stationed in Washington he had become acquainted with Chase, a former Ohio governor and senator. Now, through Chase’s influence, McDowell was promoted three grades to brigadier general in the Regular Army and on 27 May was assigned command of the Department of Northeastern Virginia, which included the military forces in and around Washington.

McDowell immediately began organizing what became known as the Army of Northeastern Virginia, 35,000 men arranged in five divisions. Brig. Gen. Daniel Tyler’s 1st Division, the largest in the army, contained four brigades, led by Brig. Gen. Robert C. Schenck, Col. Erasmus Keyes, Col. [[William T. Sherman]], and Col. Israel B. Richardson. Col. David Hunter commanded the 2d Division of two brigades. These were led by Colonels Andrew Porter and [[Ambrose Burnside]]. Col. Samuel P. Heintzelman commanded three brigades of the 3d Division, led by Cols. William B. Franklin, Orlando B. Willcox, and Oliver O. Howard. The 4th Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. Theodore Runyon, contained seven regiments of New Jersey and one regiment of New York volunteer infantries. Col. Dixon S. Miles’ 5th Division contained two brigades, commanded by Cols. Louis Blenker and Thomas A. Davies. McDowell’s army also had ten batteries of artillery and a battalion of Regular cavalry.

McDowell immediately began organizing what became known as the Army of Northeastern Virginia, 35,000 men arranged in five divisions. Brig. Gen. Daniel Tyler’s 1st Division, the largest in the army, contained four brigades, led by Brig. Gen. Robert C. Schenck, Col. Erasmus Keyes, Col. [[William T. Sherman]], and Col. Israel B. Richardson. Col. David Hunter commanded the 2d Division of two brigades. These were led by Colonels Andrew Porter and [[Ambrose Burnside]]. Col. Samuel P. Heintzelman commanded three brigades of the 3d Division, led by Cols. William B. Franklin, Orlando B. Willcox, and Oliver O. Howard. The 4th Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. Theodore Runyon, contained seven regiments of New Jersey and one regiment of New York volunteer infantries. Col. Dixon S. Miles’ 5th Division contained two brigades, commanded by Cols. Louis Blenker and Thomas A. Davies. McDowell’s army also had ten batteries of artillery and a battalion of Regular cavalry.

Under public and political pressure to begin offensive operations, McDowell was given very little time to train the newly-inducted troops. Units were instructed in the maneuvering of regiments, but they received little or no training at the brigade or division level. In fact, on one occasion, when McDowell reviewed eight infantry regiments at one time, the visiting General Scott chastised him for "trying to make a big show."

Under public and political pressure to begin offensive operations, McDowell was given very little time to train the newly inducted troops. Units were instructed in the maneuvering of regiments, but they received little or no training at the brigade or division level. In fact, on one occasion, when McDowell reviewed eight infantry regiments at one time, the visiting General Scott chastised him for "trying to make a big show."

While McDowell organized the Army of Northeastern Virginia, a smaller Union command was organized and stationed northwest of Washington, near Harper’s Ferry. Commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson, 18,000 men of the Department of Pennsylvania protected against a Confederate incursion from the Shenandoah Valley. Although almost seventy years old and a veteran of the [[War of 1812]] and the [[Mexican War]], Patterson had been given a three-month volunteer officer’s commission in April 1861 and now commanded a varied force of Pennsylvania volunteers.

While McDowell organized the Army of Northeastern Virginia, a smaller Union command was organized and stationed northwest of Washington, near Harper’s Ferry. Commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert Patterson, 18,000 men of the Department of Pennsylvania protected against a Confederate incursion from the Shenandoah Valley. Although almost seventy years old and a veteran of the [[War of 1812]] and the [[Mexican War]], Patterson had been given a three-month volunteer officer’s commission in April 1861 and now commanded a varied force of Pennsylvania volunteers.

===Joseph E. Johnston===

===Joseph E. Johnston===

At Winchester, Virginia, southwest of Patterson’s command, were 12,000 Confederate troops of the Army of the Shenandoah under 54-year-old General [[Joseph E. Johnston]]. Before the war Johnston had served as quartermaster general of the United States Army. Now, as a Confederate commander, he was charged with defending the Shenandoah Valley and, if necessary, going to the support of Brig. Gen. [[Pierre G. T. Beauregard]]’s command at Manassas Junction. The Army of the Shenandoah consisted of five infantry brigades: the 1st, commanded by Brig. Gen. [[Thomas J. Jackson]]; the 2d, commanded by Col. Francis S. Bartow; the 3d, commanded by Brig. Gen. Barnard E. Bee; the 4th, commanded by Col. Arnold Elzey; and the 5th, commanded by Brig. Gen. E. Kirby Smith. In addition to the infantry, there were twenty pieces of artillery and about 300 Virginia cavalrymen under Col. [[J.E.B. Stuart]].

At Winchester, Virginia, southwest of Patterson’s command, were 12,000 Confederate troops of the Army of the Shenandoah under 54-year-old General [[Joseph E. Johnston]]. Before the war Johnston had served as quartermaster general of the United States Army. Now, as a Confederate commander, he was charged with defending the Shenandoah Valley and, if necessary, going to the support of Brig. Gen. [[Pierre G. T. Beauregard]]’s command at Manassas Junction. The Army of the Shenandoah consisted of five infantry brigades: the 1st, commanded by Brig. Gen. [[Thomas J. Jackson]]; the 2d, commanded by Col. Francis S. Bartow; the 3d, commanded by Brig. Gen. Barnard E. Bee; the 4th, commanded by Col. Arnold Elzey; and the 5th, commanded by Brig. Gen. E. Kirby Smith. In addition to the infantry, there were twenty pieces of artillery and about 300 Virginia cavalrymen under Col. [[J.E.B. Stuart]].

===Movement of McDowell's army===

===Movement of McDowell's army===

[[Image:First Bull Run July18.png|thumb|200px|right|Northern Virgina in the middle of July, 1861 (Hal Jespersen)]]

[[Image:First Bull Run July18.png|thumb|200px|right|Northern Virgina in the middle of July, 1861 (Hal Jespersen)]]

Finally, on 16 July, McDowell’s army headed for Manassas Junction. Amid cries of "On to Richmond," the excited soldiers marched south, confident that in a few days the war would be over, won by one grand battle. Since some of his regiments wore gray uniforms like many of the Confederate units, McDowell ordered that U.S. flags be displayed prominently at all times to prevent units from firing at each other.

Finally, on 16 July, McDowell’s army headed for Manassas Junction. Amid cries of "On to Richmond," the excited soldiers marched south, confident that in a few days the war would be over, won by one grand battle. Since some of his regiments wore gray uniforms like many of the Confederate units, McDowell ordered that U.S. flags be displayed prominently at all times to prevent units from firing at each other.

===Matthews' Hill===

===Matthews' Hill===

About 1100 the brigades of Bee and Bartow (Bee in overall command of both brigades) arrived near the Henry house. Although earlier ordered toward the Stone Bridge, Bee had diverted his column toward the sound of the firing on Matthews’ Hill. Bee’s brigade contained the 4th Alabama Infantry and 2d Mississippi Infantry (the 6th North Carolina Infantry had yet to arrive from Piedmont Station). Bartow’s command consisted of the 7th and 8th Georgia Infantries. Although Bartow’s artillery, the Wise Artillery, had not accompanied the brigade, Bee had brought along his Staunton Artillery, commanded by Capt. John Imboden. Imboden unlimbered his four 6-pounder smoothbores in a depression about one hundred yards north of the Henry house and opened long-range fire on the Union artillery on Matthews’ Hill.

About 1100 the brigades of Bee and Bartow (Bee in overall command of both brigades) arrived near the Henry house. Although earlier ordered toward the Stone Bridge, Bee had diverted his column toward the sound of the firing on Matthews’ Hill. Bee’s brigade contained the 4th Alabama Infantry and 2d Mississippi Infantry (the 6th North Carolina Infantry had yet to arrive from Piedmont Station). Bartow’s command consisted of the 7th and 8th Georgia Infantries. Although Bartow’s artillery, the Wise Artillery, had not accompanied the brigade, Bee had brought along his Staunton Artillery, commanded by Capt. John Imboden. Imboden unlimbered his four 6-pounder smoothbores in a depression about one hundred yards north of the Henry house and opened long-range fire on the Union artillery on Matthews’ Hill.

In Washington President Lincoln and members of the cabinet waited for news of a Union victory. Instead, a telegram arrived stating "General McDowell’s army in full retreat through Centreville. The day is lost. Save Washington and the remnants of this army."  The tidings were happier in the Confederate capital. From the battlefield President Davis telegraphed Richmond, "We have won a glorious but dear-bought victory. Night closed on the enemy in full flight and closely pursued."

In Washington President Lincoln and members of the cabinet waited for news of a Union victory. Instead, a telegram arrived stating "General McDowell’s army in full retreat through Centreville. The day is lost. Save Washington and the remnants of this army."  The tidings were happier in the Confederate capital. From the battlefield President Davis telegraphed Richmond, "We have won a glorious but dear-bought victory. Night closed on the enemy in full flight and closely pursued."

==Conclusions==

==Conclusions==

First Bull Run demonstrated that the war would not be won by one grand battle, and both sides began preparing for a long and bloody conflict. In the North, Lincoln called for an additional 500,000 volunteers with three-year enlistments, and the men with ninety-day enlistments were sent home. In the South, once the euphoria of victory had worn off, Jefferson Davis called for 400,000 additional volunteers. The battle also showed the need for adequately trained and experienced officers and men. One year later many of the same soldiers who had fought at First Bull Run, now combat veterans, would have an opportunity to test their skills on the same battlefield.

First Bull Run demonstrated that the war would not be won by one grand battle, and both sides began preparing for a long and bloody conflict. In the North, Lincoln called for an additional 500,000 volunteers with three-year enlistments, and the men with ninety-day enlistments were sent home. In the South, once the euphoria of victory had worn off, Jefferson Davis called for 400,000 additional volunteers. The battle also showed the need for adequately trained and experienced officers and men. One year later many of the same soldiers who had fought at First Bull Run, now combat veterans, would have an opportunity to test their skills on the same battlefield.

==References==

==References==

*Beauregard, Pierre G. T. "The First Battle of Bull Run," article in ''Battles and Leaders of the Civil War'', edited by Clarence C. Buel and Robert U. Johnson. New York: Century Co. (1884, 1887, 1888).

*Beauregard, Pierre G. T. "The First Battle of Bull Run," article in ''Battles and Leaders of the Civil War'', edited by Clarence C. Buel and Robert U. Johnson. New York: Century Co. (1884, 1887, 1888).

*Fry, James B. "McDowell’s Advance to Bull Run", article in ''Battles and Leaders of the Civil War'', edited by Clarence C. Buel and Robert U. Johnson. New York: Century Co. (1884, 1887, 1888).

*Fry, James B. "McDowell’s Advance to Bull Run", article in ''Battles and Leaders of the Civil War'', edited by Clarence C. Buel and Robert U. Johnson. New York: Century Co. (1884, 1887, 1888).

*Johnston, Joseph E. "Responsibilities of the First Bull Run." article in ''Battles and Leaders of the Civil War'', edited by Clarence C. Buel and Robert U. Johnson. New York: Century Co. (1884, 1887, 1888).

*Johnston, Joseph E. "Responsibilities of the First Bull Run." article in ''Battles and Leaders of the Civil War'', edited by Clarence C. Buel and Robert U. Johnson. New York: Century Co. (1884, 1887, 1888).

[[Category:American Civil War]]

 

[[Category:American Civil War Battles]]