| Normal 0 | | | | Junction. The untrained and undisciplined army didn't |
| What is commonly known as the first major Civil War | | | | arrive at Manassas Junction until July 18th. As soon as |
| battle was fought on July 21st, 1861. In the north the | | | | they arrived McDowell deployed scouts to recon the |
| battle would be known as the 1st Battle of Bull Run | | | | enemy forces but they were beaten back, and |
| and the 1st Manassas Battle in the south. The Union | | | | suffered the Unions first small but demoralizing |
| Army General, Irvin McDowell, as well as the | | | | defeat, by a small group of Confederate forces. |
| politicians in Washington, felt that this battle, with a | | | | McDowell planed to have Patterson keep General |
| quick win by the Union would lead to an early end of | | | | Johnson at bay at Harpers Ferry, giving him a large |
| the war. As it turned out they had highly under | | | | advantage in troop numbers against Beauregard's |
| estimated the determination and tenacity of the | | | | forces. Early on in the battle it looked like the Union |
| Confederate Army in general and General Pierre | | | | forces would see victory due to this advantage of a |
| Beauregard in particular. Having been battle seasoned | | | | larger force and the confidence coming from having |
| at Ft. Sumpter, Beauregard counted on a decisive | | | | won several small clashes in their drive for Henry |
| victory that he thought would bring peace as well. He | | | | House Hill. When Johnson and his men were able to |
| and his soldiers did have their victory, but it would be | | | | get around the Patterson forces and come to the |
| far from being the end of the war. | | | | rescue of General Beauregard the advantage turned. |
| The Confederate and Union Armies were each split | | | | The formidable fighting skills and determination of the |
| into three major battle commands. Beauregard, with | | | | Confederate soldiers caused General McDowell to |
| 20,000 troops, was dug in near Manassas Junction on | | | | issue an order for retreat. What was supposed to be |
| Bull Run Creek and 30,000 men under McDowell were | | | | an orderly retreat turned into a rout, with Union |
| situated along the Potomac River. Union General | | | | officers deserting their men and the soldiers running |
| Robert Patterson had 18,000 men at Harpers Ferry | | | | for their lives. The large supply train was left in a |
| and greatly out numbered Confederate General | | | | jumbled trail behind the fleeing army. Sightseeing |
| Joseph Johnson with 12,000 soldiers under his | | | | civilians, having followed the Union Army down from |
| command. At Fort Monroe, Virginia General John | | | | Washington and gathered on surrounding hilltops, |
| Magruder pinned down Union General Benjamin Butler | | | | made the rout even more chaotic. This 1st battle of |
| and his 10,000 troops with a much smaller | | | | a divided country claimed approximately 5,000 |
| Confederate contingency. | | | | casualties and includes the missing, wounded and |
| Leaving Washing on July 16th, McDowell's army with | | | | dead civilians as well. The Confederacy had sent a |
| his largely inexperienced soldiers and a large and | | | | message to Washington that there would be no |
| cumbersome supply train headed for Manassas | | | | quick and easy victory in the war. |