
First Battle of Bull Run
The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas, was the first major battle of the American Civil War and was a Confederate victory. The battle was fought on July 21, 1861 in Prince William County, Virginia, just north of the city of Manassas and about 25 miles west-south…
P. G. T. Beauregard
Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard was an American military officer who was the first prominent general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Today, he is commonly referred to as P. G. T. Beauregard, but he rarely used his first name as an adult. He sign…
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the military land force of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, fighting against the United States forces. On February 28, 1861, the Provisional Confederate Congress established a provisional volunteer army and gave control over …
What were the casualties of the Battle of First Bull Run?
Among the Confederate casualties was Col. Francis S. Bartow, the first Confederate brigade commander to be killed in the Civil War. General Bee was mortally wounded and died the following day. Compared to later battles, casualties at First Bull Run had not been especially heavy.
What is the significance of the Battle of Bull Run?
The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as Battle of First Manassas (the name used by Confederate forces), was fought on July 21, 1861 in Prince William County, Virginia, just north of the city of Manassas and about 25 miles west-southwest of Washington, D.C. It was the first major battle of the American Civil War.
Who led the Union Army at Bull Run?
Yielding to political pressure, Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell led his unseasoned Union Army across Bull Run against the equally inexperienced Confederate Army of Brig. Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard camped near Manassas Junction.
What happened on July 18th at Bull Run?
On July 18, the Union commander sent a division under Brig. Gen. Daniel Tyler to pass on the Confederate right (southeast) flank. Tyler was drawn into a skirmish at Blackburn's Ford over Bull Run and made no headway.

How many died in the First Battle of Bull Run?
The First Battle of Bull Run (called First Manassas in the South) cost some 3,000 Union casualties, compared with 1,750 for the Confederates.
Who lost the First Battle of Bull Run?
The Confederates won the battle, but both sides suffered casualties. The Union suffered 2,896 casualties including 460 killed. The Confederates had 1,982 casualties with 387 killed.
Who won the battle of Bull Run 1 and 2?
Despite heavy Confederate casualties (9,000), the Battle of Second Bull Run (known as Second Manassas in the South) was a decisive victory for the rebels, as Lee had managed a strategic offensive against an enemy force (Pope and McClellan's) twice the size of his own.
When was the 1st battle of Bull Run?
July 21, 1861First Battle of Bull Run / Start date
Why do you think the Union lost the First Battle of Bull Run?
-The First Battle of Bull Run: Union troops scattered in chaos , however, Confederates were too tired to move on and capture Washington D.C.. It shattered the Union's hope of winning the Civil War. -The Seven Days' Battles: The Confederates won, and saved Richmond and forced McClellan to retreat.
Who won the battle of Fort Henry?
Union victoryThe Battle of Fort Henry on February 6, 1862, was the first significant Union victory of the American Civil War (1861-65). In an effort to gain control of rivers and supply lines west of the Appalachians, Union Brigadier General Ulysses S.
Why were Union forces defeated at the First Battle of Bull Run?
President Lincoln hoped that the Confederate Army would easily be defeated at the First Battle of Bull Run. Lincoln reasoned that since the Confederates were poorly organized and had no combat experience, they would easily be defeated. no more than 90 days.
Who won the battle of Vicksburg?
Union victoryThe Siege of Vicksburg (May 18, 1863-July 4, 1863) was a decisive Union victory during the American Civil War (1861-65) that divided the confederacy and cemented the reputation of Union General Ulysses S. Grant (1822-85).
What was the first battle of Bull Run?
Overview of the First Battle of Bull Run during the American Civil War. First Battle of Bull Run, also called First Battle of Manassas , Battle of First Manassas, or Manassas Junction, (July 21, 1861), in the American Civil War, the first of two engagements fought at ...
How many Confederates died in the Battle of Bull Run?
Beauregard and Johnston’s 32,230 Confederates lost 387 killed and 1,582 wounded, with just 13 reported missing or captured. First Battle of Bull Run. Confederate soldiers killed during the First Battle of Bull Run, July 1861. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
What was the name of the battle that Johnston escaped from the Federals?
American Civil War: The war in 1861. …on July 21 in the First Battle of Bull Run , he discovered that Johnston had escaped the Federals in the valley and had joined Beauregard near Manassas just in time, bringing the total Confederate force to about 32,000. (The battle came to be known in the South as the Battle….
How many troops did Johnston move to Bull Run?
Johnston was able to mask his intentions and, utilizing the Manassas Gap railroad, moved 10,000 troops to Bull Run. Johnston arrived on the scene July 20 and, as the ranking general, accepted Beauregard’s plan of attack against Centreville, a town some 5 miles (8 km) to the east.
Where was the first battle of the Civil War?
First Battle of Bull Run, also called First Battle of Manassas , Battle of First Manassas, or Manassas Junction, (July 21, 1861), in the American Civil War, the first of two engagements fought at a small stream named Bull Run, near Manassas in northern Virginia. (Civil War battles often had one name in the North, ...
When was Stonewall Jackson at Bull Run?
Stonewall Jackson at the First Battle of Bull Run, July 1861. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (LC-DIG-pga-11168) The fighting at Henry House Hill was severe, and about 1:30 pm, McDowell brought up two artillery batteries to the fighting line.
Who was the Union leader who fought at Bull Run?
His delay in advancing, however, would prove the undoing of his plan. Upon perceiving the Union movements, Beauregard notified the authorities in Richmond by telegraph, and Johnston, then facing Patterson’s army near Winchester, was ordered to join Beauregard as quickly as possible. Johnston was able to mask his intentions and, utilizing the Manassas Gap railroad, moved 10,000 troops to Bull Run. Johnston arrived on the scene July 20 and, as the ranking general, accepted Beauregard’s plan of attack against Centreville, a town some 5 miles (8 km) to the east. Before the attack could be launched, however, the Union army assaulted the Confederate left on July 21.
What was the name of the first battle of Bull Run?
/ 38.8147°N 77.5227°W / 38.8147; -77.5227. The First Battle of Bull Run (the name used by Union forces), also known as the Battle of First Manassas (the name used by Confederate forces), was the first major battle of the American Civil War.
Who was the senior officer in the Battle of Bull Run?
On July 19–20, significant reinforcements bolstered the Confederate lines behind Bull Run. Johnston arrived with all of his army, except for the troops of Brig. Gen. Kirby Smith, who were still in transit. Most of the new arrivals were posted in the vicinity of Blackburn's Ford, and Beauregard's plan was to attack from there to the north toward Centreville. Johnston, the senior officer, approved the plan. If both of the armies had been able to execute their plans simultaneously, it would have resulted in a mutual counterclockwise movement as they attacked each other's left flank.
How many men were in the Hunter and Heintzelman division?
On the morning of July 21, McDowell sent the divisions of Hunter and Heintzelman (about 12,000 men) from Centreville at 2:30 a.m., marching southwest on the Warrenton Turnpike and then turning northwest toward Sudley Springs to get around the Confederates' left. Tyler's division (about 8,000) marched directly toward the Stone Bridge. The inexperienced units immediately developed logistical problems. Tyler's division blocked the advance of the main flanking column on the turnpike. The later units found the approach roads to Sudley Springs were inadequate, little more than a cart path in some places, and did not begin fording Bull Run until 9:30 a.m. Tyler's men reached the Stone Bridge around 6 a.m.
How did McDowell reduce the Union army?
McDowell reduced the size of his army to approximately 31,000 by dispatching Brig. Gen. Theodore Runyon with 5,000 troops to protect the army's rear. In the meantime, McDowell searched for a way to outflank Beauregard, who had drawn up his lines along Bull Run. On July 18, the Union commander sent a division under Brig. Gen. Daniel Tyler to pass on the Confederate right (southeast) flank. Tyler was drawn into a skirmish at Blackburn's Ford over Bull Run and made no headway. Also on the morning of 18 July Johnston had received a telegram suggesting he go to Beauregard's assistance if possible. Johnston marched out of Winchester about noon, while Stuart's cavalry screened the movement from Patterson. Patterson was completely deceived. One hour after Johnston's departure Patterson telegraphed Washington, "I have succeeded, in accordance with the wishes of the General-in-Chief, in keeping General Johnston's force at Winchester."
How many infantry divisions were there in the Battle of Bull Run?
McDowell 's Army of Northeastern Virginia was organized into five infantry divisions of three to five brigades each. Each brigade contained three to five infantry regiments. An artillery battery was generally assigned to each brigade. The total number of Union troops present at the First Battle of Bull Run was about 35,000 although only about 18,000 were actually engaged. The Union army was organized as follows:
How many people died in Bull Run?
Bull Run was the largest and bloodiest battle in United States history until then. Union casualties were 460 killed, 1,124 wounded, and 1,312 missing or captured; Confederate casualties were 387 killed, 1,582 wounded, and 13 missing. Among the Union dead was Col. James Cameron, the brother of President Lincoln's first Secretary of War, Simon Cameron. Among the Confederate casualties was Col. Francis S. Bartow, the first Confederate brigade commander to be killed in the Civil War. General Bee was mortally wounded and died the following day.
What was McDowell's plan for the Confederate Army?
McDowell's plan was to move westward in three columns and make a diversionary attack on the Confederate line at Bull Run with two columns, while the third column moved around the Confederates' right flank to the south, cutting the railroad to Richmond and threatening the rear of the Confederate army.
How many people died in the First Bull Run?
Confederate Casualties at First Bull Run (approximate) Beauregard and Johnston’s combined force of 30,800 had 390 killed, 1,600 wounded, and about a dozen missing, a total of approximately 2,000 or about 6.5 percent.
What was the first major battle of the Civil War?
Casualties at the Battle of First Bull Run ( Battle of First Manassas), the first major engagement of the Civil War, were light in comparison with battles that would come later. Union brigadier general Irwin McDowell marched approximately 28,400 men in the Army of Northeastern Virginia from Washington, D.C., to confront roughly 21,900 Confederates of the Army of the Potomac under Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard. During the afternoon, some 8,900 men of General Joseph Johnston’s command arrived to reinforce Beauregard, resulting in a Union rout.
What was the Union's greatest loss?
The Union’s greatest losses were in the "missing" category, where they sustained 100 times the number that the victorious Confederates did. Some of the men who routed decided they’d had enough of soldiering, but many Federal soldiers were taken prisoner and sent to Richmond.
Which side suffered the most deaths and wounded?
Both sides suffered about the same number of killed and wounded. Surprisingly, the Confederates, who were on the defensive, lost the most in these categories; usually, the side that is attacking sustains the most killed and wounded.
Who won the first battle of Bull Run?
The Confederates won the battle, but both sides suffered casualties. The Union suffered 2,896 casualties including 460 killed. The Confederates had 1,982 casualties with 387 killed.
How many died at Bull Run?
Total casualties for the battle topped 22,000, with Union losses numbering 13,824. Confederates killed, wounded, or missing numbered 8,353 men, Longstreet’s massive charge on the second day having accounted for the bulk of that total.
Who was ultimately victorious at the First Battle of Bull Run?
The Confederate victory at Manassas proved a crushing blow to Lincoln and the Union and proved the war would be long and violent. As a result, Lincoln requested he mobilization of 500,000 additional soldiers for the purposes of subduing the South.
How many died in Civil War USA?
Roughly 1,264,000 American soldiers have died in the nation’s wars– 620,000 in the Civil War and 644,000 in all other conflicts. It was only as recently as the Vietnam War that the number of American deaths in foreign wars eclipsed the number who died in the Civil War.
What was the bloodiest battle of the war?
Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, with more than 51,000 casualties, including 7,863 dead. Battle deaths in the Civil War totaled nearly 215,000.
How many died at Manassas?
The nation had been shocked by the toll at the First Battle of Manassas, which saw more than 5,000 casualties, including nearly 900 dead — the bloodiest battle in American history, to that point. But as the Civil War stretched into its second year, the battles had become deadlier.
Why did the Confederate soldiers not pursue the Union soldiers at the Battle of Bull Run?
The reason that they did this was because they truly didn’t have much of a choice. Back then, soldiers had a different formation that we see now like in CoD or Battlefield. and even though they didn’t know how many soldiers were down there, they didnt want to risk it.

Overview
Battle
On the morning of July 21, McDowell sent the divisions of Hunter and Heintzelman (about 12,000 men) from Centreville at 2:30 a.m., marching southwest on the Warrenton Turnpike and then turning northwest toward Sudley Springs to get around the Confederates' left. Tyler's division (about 8,000) marched directly toward the Stone Bridge. The inexperienced units immediatel…
Background
On December 20, 1860, South Carolina was the first of seven Southern States to declare secession of the state from the Union of the United States. By February 1, 1861, six other Southern States passed ordinances of secession. The Constitution of the Confederate States of America was adopted in Montgomery, Alabama on February 8, 1861. On March 1, 1861, Confederate States Army forc…
Aftermath
The battle was a clash between relatively large, ill-trained bodies of recruits, led by inexperienced officers. Neither army commander was able to deploy his forces effectively; although nearly 60,000 men were present at the battle, only 18,000 had actually been engaged on each side. Although McDowell had been active on the battlefield, he had expended most of his energy maneuvering nearby regiments and brigades, instead of controlling and coordinating the movem…
In popular culture
The First Battle of Bull Run is mentioned in the novel Gods and Generals, but is depicted more fully in its film adaptation. The battle forms the climax of the film Class of '61. It also appears in the first episode of the second season of the mini-series North and South, in the second episode of the first season of the mini-series How the West Was Won and in the first episode of the mini-series The Blue and the Gray. Manassas (1999) is the first volume in the James Reasoner Civil War Seri…
Sesquicentennial
Prince William County staged special events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War through 2011. Manassas was named the No. 1 tourist destination in the United States for 2011 by the American Bus Association for its efforts in highlighting the historical impact of the Civil War. The cornerstone of the commemoration event featured a reenactment of the b…
Battlefield preservation
Part of the site of the battle is now Manassas National Battlefield Park, which is designated as a National Battlefield Park. More than 900,000 people visit the battlefield each year. As a historic area under the National Park Service, the park was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
See also
• Armies in the American Civil War
• Troop engagements of the American Civil War, 1861
• List of costliest American Civil War land battles
• Origins of the American Civil War