The First Battle of Bull Run

The First Battle of Bull Run

On July 21, 1861 the first major land battle of the American Civil War occurred.  It was called the First Battle of Bull Run.  To the Confederate forces it was known as the First Battle of Manassas.  Brig. Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard was in charge of the Confederate Army.  He planned a surprise attack against the Union Army who was lead by Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell.  However, both Army’s were inexperienced and had disadvantages.  “Although the position at the time was strategically of commanding importance to the Confederates, the mere terrain was not only without natural defensive advantages, but, on the contrary, was absolutely unfavorable.”  (G. T. Beauregard, General, C.S.A.)  The violence seen by both sides during the war made everyone realize that it was going to be lengthy and bloodier than expected. 

Due to the lack of battle experience the Confederate Army was having a difficult time passing on their strategic battle plan to their other commanding officers.  Beauregard intended for Brig. Gen. Richard Ewell to lead the attack at Union Mills Ford.  Somehow the orders got jumbled and he ended up holding his position instead of advancing forcing Brig. Gen. D.R. Jones to proceed alone.  Holmes never even received his orders to provide backup.  This left Col. Nathan “Shanks” Evans and his 1,100 soldiers by themselves with the 20,000 Union soldiers closing in on their position.  Shanks moved his men’s position and eventually received reinforcements.  Col. Thomas J Jackson also provided support for the Confederates now giving them the upper hand.

McDowell brought 15 regiments to Henry House Hill.  They outnumbered the Confederates two to one, however no more than two regiments were employed at the same time.  Jackson was heard saying to his Confederate troops “Reserve your fire until they come within 50 yards! Then fire and give them the bayonet! And when you charge, yell like furies!"  They did this successfully and their war cry was forever referred to as the “Rebel Yell.”

The Union began to retreat after Beauregard directed his men forward at Chinn Ridge.  “My line of battle, which twice had not only withstood the enemy's attack, but had taken the offensive and driven him back in disorder, was becoming momentarily stronger from the arrival, at last, of the reinforcements provided for; and if the enemy had remained on the field till the arrival of Ewell and Holmes, they would have been so strongly outflanked that many who escaped would have been destroyed or captured”.  (G. T. Beauregard, General, C.S.A.)   During the retreat many of the roads were blocked by civilian carriages from the Union elite that were expecting an easy Union victory.  When the Union started to lose the battle the civilians feared for their safety.  During the retreat hundreds of Union soldiers were captured.  The Confederates were ordered to call off their pursuit of the fleeing Union soldiers when they began to be attacked by artillery fire.  Although the Confederates appeared to have won the first battle they knew the war was far from over.  Beauregard was deemed the hero of the battle and was promoted by President Davis to the rank of full General. During the first battle of Bull Run there were many deaths and casualties on both sides. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Bull_Run
http://www.civilwarhome.com/bullruncampaign.htm

Barbary War

The Barbary War

The Barbary War was from 1801-1805.  This was the first war that the United States fought overseas and it was during the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson.  It was against the four Barbary States which were Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis.  This war was also known as the Barbary Coast War and the Tripolitan War. 

For safe passage through Tripolitanian waters the United States was paying $18,000 a year to the ruler of Tripoli.  In the past American ships were seized by Barbary pirates and the crews were enslaved, this fee was to ensure that wouldn’t happen anymore.  The U.S. also made comparable agreements with the rulers of Morocco, Algiers and Tunis.  The pirates raised the tributes the United States traders paid and Jefferson refused to accept the increase, so Tripoli declared war on the United States.  They even cut down the flagstaff in front of the U.S. Consulate. 

The United States prepared to send forces to Tripoli, but there was concern that the other Barbary States would join the war against the U.S.  Naval squadrons arrived in the Mediterranean with a motto of “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!”  Under the command of Commodore Edward Preble and Richard Dale the United States was successful; the enemies shore fortresses were attacked and the coast was obstructed.

On February 16, 1804 Lieutenant Stephen Decatur led a raid on Tripoli.  He had 74 volunteers and they burned the captured American frigate The Philadelphia in the harbor of Tripoli.

In 1805 the battle of Derma ended the war with a great victory.  In Egypt, the first American Flag had been raised in a victory on foreign soil.  In the Marine Battle Hymm, the first line includes “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli”.  This was clearly influenced by the Barbary War. 

First Barbary War (1801-1805)," American History Central, 2010, American History Central. 24 Oct 2010 http://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entry.php?rec=468
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/barbary.htm
http://www.history.com/topics/tripolitan-war
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbary_Wars

Major Samuel Nicholas

Major Samuel Nicholas             

The first officer commissioned in the United States Continental Marines was Officer Samuel Nicholas.  Today we know this as the United States Marine Corps (USMC).  The Marine Corps was established in 1775 to provide a security force to fend off the naval ships of Great Britain. They were asked to “conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and discipline enforcement, and assist in landing forces.” (1)

Nicholas was born in Philadelphia in 1744; his father was Andrew Nicholas who was a prosperous Quaker blacksmith.  His mother was Mary Shute Nicholas, whose sister, Attwood Shute, was the Mayor of Philadelphia 1756–1758.  At the young age of 22 he was one of the organizers of the “Gloucester Fox Hunting Club” which was America’s first hunting club.    

On November 5, 1775 Samuel Nicholas was appointed the rank of captain of Marines by the Continental Congress.  The Second Continental Congress finally confirmed that in writing on November 28, 1775, which was 18 days later.  This document was signed by John Hancock.    Samuel Nicholas was also considered the first Marine Corps Recruiter.  “In December of 1775, to aid in drafting plans in expanding the Continental Navy and to supervise the construction of vessels and procurement of naval equipment, the Continental Congress established a permanent committee for the Marine Corps”(1) 

It has been debated whether he used his family bar, Conestoga Waggon, or Tun Tavern as the first recruiting station. Wherever it was, Nicholas was rapidly recruiting as many people as possible because Congress stated “the Marines will not only be used for the Nova Scotia expedition but for subsequent service thereafter.” (1)  The Marine Committee was formed and had 13 members, one for each continent.  It had important figure heads, such as John Hancock, Robert Morris, and Samuel Chase. 

The Marine Committee initially asked Washington, the then United States Capital, to give them members from Washington’s Army to help them build 13 “frigates,” to help them in the Nova Scotia Expedition.  Washington didn’t approve of the idea and told the Marine Committee to hire unemployed Seaman from New York and Philadelphia.  The Marines who “adapt and overcome,” did just that and were able to recruit enough people to fill all the frigates, which consisted of 24-36 guns each.  Nicholas also appointed 10 more Captains.

Nicholas fought in three wars: the Battle of Nassau, the Battle of Trenton and the battle of Princeton.  He was ultimately promoted to the rank of Major and held the rank of Commandant of the Marine Corps, which is the highest and most prestigious rank.   

The Continental Marines were established to aid in a time of battle.  A strong military was a necessity to fight off Great Britain, who had more people, more ships, and more guns.  Americans came together with the aide of allies and were able to defend this great land that we call America. 

(1) wikipedia, History of the United States Marine Corps

(2) wikipedia, Samuel Nicholas

(3) uss nicholas, dd 449; dde 449             

(4) D.W. McComb, 6 August 2001, Marine Corps Museum, Washington Navy Yard