Preparing for Battle
The Federal army around Washington was the largest force ever assembled in
North America up to that time, and it was commanded by General Irvin
McDowell. McDowell was hesitant to attack, but many of the three-month
enlistments were about to expire. While his battle plan was sound, the question
was whether or not his troops were experienced enough to execute it.
In Virginia, a Confederate force under General P.G.T. Beauregard, hero of Fort
Sumter, blocked the Federals’ path. In addition a second force under General
Joseph Johnston was nearby. The Federal plan was to defeat Beauregard in
northern Virginia before Johnston could arrive to help, then move on to
Richmond. The key point in the Federal plan was the railroad junction at
Manassas.
Federals Launch the Invasion
On July 18, 1861, 37,000 Federal volunteers invaded Virginia. The men had
never endured a forced march in summer heat, and they had little or no combat
experience. Many sang as they marched and fell out of line to pick berries or fill
canteens.
Equally inexperienced were the civilians, newspaper correspondents and
politicians who followed the Federals into Virginia to watch the show. They
brought binoculars, opera glasses, picnic baskets and champagne, hoping to see
a real battle.
Meanwhile prominent Washington socialite Rose O’Neal Greenhow informed
Beauregard of the Federal advance; she was a Confederate spy who was
“friendly” with many Northern politicians. Beauregard formed his men along Bull
Run Creek near Manassas and requested reinforcements from Johnston.
Early Gains Signal Federal Victory
The Federals crossed Bull Run and struck the Confederates on the morning of
July 21. The battle started just as McDowell planned as the Confederate left was
consistently pushed back. Beauregard, also plagued with inexperienced troops,
watched his battle plan unravel and was forced to remain on the defensive.
By noon, Northern victory seemed inevitable. Federal troops stopped to collect
souvenirs from Confederate casualties, and the Associated Press wired
Washington of the apparent victory.
However, holding firm at Henry House Hill was a Virginia brigade led by General
Thomas Jackson. Seeing this stand, Confederate General Bernard Bee
attempted to rally his men by shouting, “Look! There is Jackson standing like a
stone wall!” Bee was killed but Jackson would become known as “Stonewall.”
The tide of the battle soon turned.
Confederate Counterattack Proves Decisive
Confederate units reformed around Jackson, who ordered a bayonet
counterattack. In doing so, Jackson instructed his men to “yell like furies.” The
screams from the oncoming Confederates were the first “rebel yells” that would
echo on thousands of future battlefields. The Federals slowly fell back.
The battle continued in the oppressive heat; most Federals had been marching
and fighting without food or water for fourteen hours. Meanwhile Confederate
reinforcements began arriving from Johnston’s command. This marked the first
time in history that troops were transported by railroad during battle. The sight
of these fresh reserves entering the fight demoralized the Federals.
As the Northern troops edged backward, exploding Confederate artillery turned
the retreat into a rout. Terrified soldiers, spectators and horses fought to flee
the battlefield in panic. Many civilians, including some prominent Northern
politicians, were captured and held as prisoners of war in Richmond. This was
remembered in the North as “the great skedaddle.”
By nightfall, Federal stragglers began wandering back into Washington as the
city reeled in horror. Had the Confederates pursued the defeated Federals, they
might have captured the Northern capital. However after a personal inspection
by Confederate President Jefferson Davis, it was decided that the troops were
too tired and ill-equipped to pursue.
Confederates Rejoice and Federals Regroup
About 4,900 men were killed, wounded or captured in the Battle of Bull Run,
known as the Battle of Manassas in the South. These numbers horrified both
North and South, but they would be light compared to future battles. The
Confederate Congress called for a national day of thanksgiving for the success
of Southern arms. Convinced they had won the war and secured their
independence, many soldiers left the army and returned home for the autumn
harvest.
This overwhelming Confederate victory sent shock waves throughout the North,
as many realized the war would last much longer than anticipated. The Lincoln
administration resolved to regroup and try again, this time with a new
commander. Replacing McDowell was young General George McClellan, who
reorganized the force into the Army of the Potomac.
Sources:
1. Crocker III, H.W.: The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War
(Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2008)
2. Davis, Kenneth C.: Don’t Know Much About the Civil War (New York,
NY: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1996)
3. Long, E.B. and Long, Barbara: The Civil War: Day-By-Day (New York,
NY: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971)
4. Ward, Geoffrey C.; Burns, Ric; Burns, Ken: The Civil War (New York,
NY: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1990)
