Battle of Bull Run

Atmosphere
Both sides expected a quick end to the war Plethora of men rushed to volunteer for both armies Both sides were inexperienced Spectators lined the battlefield

Generals
Union General
Brigadier General Irvin McDowell

The Union Approach

35,000 Union troops departed Washington DC on July 16, 1861 Plan
Move westward in three columns Make a diversionary attack on the Confederate line at Bull Run with two columns Third column moved around the Confederates right flank to the south, cutting the railroad to Richmond

The Confederate Approach

Encamped near Manassas Junction
Approx. 25 miles from the United States capital

Defend ground and advance

Chain of Events
Two-day march, one nights rest in Centerville Gen McDowell
Dispatched 5,000 troops under Brig. Gen. Theodore Runyon to protect the armys rear Dispatched Brig. Gen. Daniel Tyler to pass on the Confederates right flank
Gen. Tyler was engaged by the opposition at Blackburns Ford and made no headway

Chain of Events
Gen. McDowell switched his plan to attack the left flank instead Plan
Dispatch Brig. Gen. Daniel Tylers division to Stone Bridge on the Warrenton Turnpike
Prevent troops there from thwarting the main attack

Dispatch Brig. Gens. David Hunter and Samuel Heintzelman over Sudley Springs Ford
March into the Confederate rear

Chain of Events
Caveat to a sound plan
Depending upon Gen Patterson to hold off Confederate troops in the Shenandoah Valley Prevent reinforcements from reaching Bull Run

Reality
Confederate troops from the Shenandoah Valley had already boarded trains at Piedmont Station

Chain of Events
On July 19-20, Confederate lines received significant reinforcements Gen. Beauregards plan
Attack from Blackburns Ford toward Centreville

Note
If both sides executed their plans it would result in simultaneous counterclockwise movement as both attacked the others left flank

Aftermath
Largest and bloodiest battle in American history up to that point
Union casualties: 460 killed, 1,124 wounded, 1,312 missing our captured Confederate casualties: 387 killed, 1,582 wounded, and 13 missing Col. Francis Bartow became the first Confederate brigade commander killed

Aftermath
Union felt that Confederate army would advance on Washington, DC Prof. Thaddeus S. C. Lowe ascended in the balloon Enterprise
Observed Confederate army Saw no evidence of massing Rebel forces Confidence restored in Union commanders

Aftermath
Shock at Union defeat Both sides realized the war would be longer and more brutal than anticipated July 22, President Lincoln signed a bill providing for another 500,000 men to enlist for up to three years of service

Aftermath
Gen. Beauregard promoted to full general by President Davis Gen. McDowell blamed for the Union defeat and was replaced by Maj. Gen. George McClellan Gen. Patterson removed from command Bull Run or Manassas??
Confederate named battles after nearby towns Union named battles after rivers and creeks

Aftermath
Stars and Bars or Stars and Stripes???