Battle of First Bull Run/Manassas

July 21, 1861

Objectives

• Learn what both sides did in the battle.• What factors led to a Southern victory.

After Fort SumterAfter the firing on Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers to put down an “insurrection”. The military goals were established also.

Union Military GoalsThe North would start the Anaconda Plan, a naval blockade of Southern ports. Control the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederacy. Capture Richmond, the Confederate capitol.

Union ForcesWinfield Scott was placed in command of Union forces, but at 73 was considered to old and was replaced by Irvin McDowell.

McDowell’s ArmyBy the summer of 1861, thousands of volunteer regiments had reached

Washington per Lincoln’s request and were willing to fight. But were they ready?

“On to Richmond!”As the number of troops in and around Washington grew and trained, politicians and newspapers called for the army to attack the rebs.

OrdersFinally, Lincoln orders McDowell to advance on the Confederates at Manassas Junction, 20 miles west of Washington.

July 16, 1861McDowell’s army of 37,000* begin their march. It will take four days to travel the 20 miles to Manassas.

Shenandoah ValleyUnion General Robert Patterson is watching the 20,000 man army of Joseph E. Johnston in the Shenandoah Valley. Johnston’s army can be moved by rail line to Manassas quickly if needed.

ManassasGeneral P.G.T. Beauregard with 20,000 men are at Manassas.

Beauregard’s HeadquartersBeauregard uses the farmhouse of a local resident, Wilmer McLean.

McDowell MovesWhile the Confederate forces were waiting, McDowell orders his army to advance on the southerners beginning at 2:30 in the morning.

Combat!At 10:00 am 10,000 Union soldiers attack 1,000 rebels on Matthews Hill and drive them from their position. The Confederates retreat to

nearby Henry Hill to regroup.

McDowell’s BlunderMcDowell halts his pursuit of the fleeing rebs to reorganize his army. This delay takes two hours.

Confederates ReformDuring the lull in fighting, a brigade from the Shenandoah reaches Henry Hill under the command of General Thomas Johnathan Jackson.

Fighting ResumesThe Federals resume their attack and are met by South Carolinian Bernard Bee. Bee’s men are being devastated when he points to the hill and shouts, “Look men. There stands Jackson like a stone wall!” Bee is then shot from his horse and dies the next day.

Federals Attack Henry HillThe Federal troops march up the hill and just as they are about to reach the top, Jackson’s men raise up and fire into the attackers. The Union assault fails.

Confederate ReinforcementsThroughout the afternoon, thousands of Confederate troops arrive by train from the Shenandoah Valley tipping the balance of manpower in the South’s favor. Federals are forced to retreat all the way back to Washington.

ResultsConsidered a resounding Confederate victory, over 900 men on both sides were killed. Both sides learned the true cost of war. Lincoln would call for 1,000,000 men to serve three years to put down the revolt.

Wilmer McLeanHe had had enough of war. He packed up his family and move to a remote village southwest of Richmond: Appomattox Court House.