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