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| First Battle of Manassas |
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| (1st Battle of Bull Run) |
Description: This was the first major land battle of the armies
in Virginia. On July 16, 1861, the untried Union army under Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell marched from Washington against
the Confederate army, which was drawn up behind Bull Run beyond Centreville. On the 21st, McDowell crossed at Sudley Ford
and attacked the Confederate left flank on Matthews Hill. Fighting raged throughout the day as Confederate forces were driven
back to Henry Hill. Late in the afternoon, Confederate reinforcements (one brigade arriving by rail from the Shenandoah
Valley) extended and broke the Union right flank. The Federal retreat rapidly deteriorated into a rout. Although victorious,
Confederate forces were too disorganized to pursue. Confederate Gen. Bee and Col. Bartow were killed. Thomas J. Jackson earned the nom de guerre "Stonewall." By July 22, the shattered Union army reached the safety of Washington. This battle
convinced the Lincoln administration that the war would be a long and costly affair (see: Battle of First Manassas: A Major Turning Point?). McDowell was relieved of command of the Union army and replaced by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, who set about reorganizing
and training the troops.
During the American Civil War, the North generally named a battle after the closest river, stream or creek
and the South tended to name battles after towns or railroad junctions. Hence the Confederate name Manassas after Manassas
Junction, and the Union name Bull Run for the stream Bull Run.
Result(s): Confederate victory
Source: National Park Service Battle of First Manassas First Bull Run
Advance to:
Recommended Reading: Battle
of First Manassas; Battle of First Bull Run
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