American Civil War: The First Battle of Bull Run

The First Battle of Bull Run

• The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the American Civil War, fought on July 21, 1861.
• Approximately 60,000 men got their first combat experience in the battle, which resulted in a Confederate victory.

Background

• Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President in March 1861, and southern states began seceding from the United States of America.
• The Confederates formed a new nation, the Confederate States of America, and Lincoln was faced with a crisis of immense proportions.
• Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, became an important test for Lincoln, as the Confederates demanded its surrender.

Ramping Up the War Effort

• Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, which led to four more states seceding from the Union.
• The Union army, known as the Army of Northeastern Virginia, was formed, with Major Irvin McDowell as its commander.
• Meanwhile, the Confederacy was also organizing its military, with Jefferson Davis as its president.

The First Battle of the Civil War

• The First Battle of Bull Run was fought near Manassas Junction, Virginia, on July 21, 1861.
• The Confederate army, led by P.G.T. Beauregard and Joseph E. Johnston, was defending the area against the Union army led by McDowell.
• The battle was a delay-and-attack strategy, with the Union army attempting to cross Bull Run Creek and attack the Confederate flank.

The Battle

• The battle started with Union artillery fire on Confederate positions, followed by a Union march on Sudley Springs Ford to attack the Confederate left flank.
• The Confederates were initially forced back, but the arrival of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's Virginia brigade stabilized the line.
• The battle turned in favor of the Confederates, and the Union army retreated in disarray.

Aftermath

• The Confederates won the battle, but at a cost of 390 killed, 1,600 wounded, and 12 missing.
• The Union army suffered 480 killed, 1,000 wounded, and 1,200 missing.
• The battle was a wake-up call for both sides, realizing that the war would be longer and bloodier than expected.

Next Steps in the Conflict

• President Lincoln called for the recruitment of 500,000 more men for three-year enlistments.
• General McDowell was removed from command, and George B. McClellan took over the Army of the Potomac.
• Jefferson Davis also called up 500,000 volunteers for three-year enlistments, and the war continued to escalate.

The First Battle of Bull Run

• The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major battle of the American Civil War, fought on July 21, 1861.
• Approximately 60,000 men got their first combat experience in the battle, which resulted in a Confederate victory.

Background

• Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated as President in March 1861, and southern states began seceding from the United States of America.
• The Confederates formed a new nation, the Confederate States of America, and Lincoln was faced with a crisis of immense proportions.
• Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, became an important test for Lincoln, as the Confederates demanded its surrender.

Ramping Up the War Effort

• Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, which led to four more states seceding from the Union.
• The Union army, known as the Army of Northeastern Virginia, was formed, with Major Irvin McDowell as its commander.
• Meanwhile, the Confederacy was also organizing its military, with Jefferson Davis as its president.

The First Battle of the Civil War

• The First Battle of Bull Run was fought near Manassas Junction, Virginia, on July 21, 1861.
• The Confederate army, led by P.G.T. Beauregard and Joseph E. Johnston, was defending the area against the Union army led by McDowell.
• The battle was a delay-and-attack strategy, with the Union army attempting to cross Bull Run Creek and attack the Confederate flank.

The Battle

• The battle started with Union artillery fire on Confederate positions, followed by a Union march on Sudley Springs Ford to attack the Confederate left flank.
• The Confederates were initially forced back, but the arrival of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's Virginia brigade stabilized the line.
• The battle turned in favor of the Confederates, and the Union army retreated in disarray.

Aftermath

• The Confederates won the battle, but at a cost of 390 killed, 1,600 wounded, and 12 missing.
• The Union army suffered 480 killed, 1,000 wounded, and 1,200 missing.
• The battle was a wake-up call for both sides, realizing that the war would be longer and bloodier than expected.

Next Steps in the Conflict

• President Lincoln called for the recruitment of 500,000 more men for three-year enlistments.
• General McDowell was removed from command, and George B. McClellan took over the Army of the Potomac.
• Jefferson Davis also called up 500,000 volunteers for three-year enlistments, and the war continued to escalate.