bullrun

First Battle of Bull Run

     The day after the fall of Fort Sumter, Lincoln called for 75,000 state militia to reinforce the 15,000 man regular army to put down the rebellion. On July 4,1862, Confederate authorized the call for an additional 500,000 three- month volunteers.
     The Confederate congress authorized President Davis to take charge of military operations and to call out the states' military and accept 100,000 volunteers for one year service.
     The sight of large bodies of troops, even if poorly untrained, gave each side a sense of pride and confidence that it would be a short and victorious war.
     Union war troops poured into Washington D.C. prepared to march south and end the war by taking the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. The equally confident Confederate forces moved north to defend their new capital.
     Both sides especially the north, were badly prepared. The officers had been promoted to positions beyond their abilities, and were accustomed to commending units as large as those who were given. The top commanders were lacking a very large portion of public and political pressure to defeat these rebels, and he had to do it quickly because a high percentage of his soldiers had had volunteered for only three months of service and those months were quickly coming to an end.
     In the mean time, McDowell changed his plans, and instead of marching directly toward Manassas, he sent most of his men westward. His plan was to make his main attack at Sudley Springs, a secondary attack at Stone Bridge, and a feint at Black Burns Ford. Nothing, however, worked out as he planned. Neither Beauregarde nor his subordinates were fooled by the feint at the Ford nor the secondary attack at the bridge: consequently, they shifted most of their men westward to meet the Unions main force marching south on the Manassas-Sudley Road. At Henry's House Hill the fighting became violent.

Journal entry for "Stone Wall" Thomas J. Jackson

General Beauregarde was in command of the Confederate's forces that day. He met up with General Johnston and engaged the Yankees near Manassas-Junction. The Yankees were giving us a pretty good fight, so I knew it was up to the Virginias to save the day.
     I was in command of Company K, 5th Virginia regiment C.S.A. and were positioned on the left flank, Henry House Hill. That he would whoop us, but we held our ground. In fact we held like a "Stone Wall...." we convinced those Yankees this here war was serious business, and our Greyboys knew we could win this here war!
     People started calling me "Stone Wall" after this victory. And you know what..... I considered this name a badge of honor.
                                                      - "Stone Wall" Thomas J. Jackson

The Fighting Begins!

     Bull Run was the first major battle for the armies of Virginia. ( The fighting began because of the bombardment of Fort Sumter). On July 16, 1862, the untried Union army ( 30,000 men) was followed by Brigade General Irvin McDowell marching to Washington against the Confederates, which was followed by Bull Run beyond Centreville.
     On the 21st, McDowell crossed at Sudley Ford and attacked the Confederate's left flank on Matthew's Hill. Fighting went through the day as the Confederates forces ( 22,000 men ) were drawn back to Henry Hill. Late in the afternoon, Confederate reinforcements ( one brigade arriving by rail from the Shenandoah Valley ) extended and broke the Union's right flank. The Federals retreat rapidly went through to a route. Although victorious, Confederate General Bee and Colonel Bartow were killed, Jackson earned the " Nom de Guerre."
     By July 22nd, the defeated Union army researched the safety of Washington. This battle convinced Lincoln's administration that the war would be a long a long and costly affair. McDowell was relieved of command of the Union army and replaced by Major General George B. McClellan, who was set about reorganizing and training all troops.
     Ruins of this Stone Bridge over which Northern forces were blown up by Rebel Shell adding to the panic retreat, with the Federals returning to Washington as a "Rain Soaked Mob."

Confederate Losses: Union Losses:

Killed-                       387                                                        460
Wounded-               1,582                                                    1,124
Captured/Missing-         13                                                      1,312

Estimated Causalities:
4,703 total
US 2,957

Bibliography
Photo Gallery

Authored by: Kyle Linneman, Ben Alfano & Chad Spencer