The first battle of bull run took place by Bull Run Creek, near Manassas Railroad Junction, an important railroad junction in Virginia. Since they took place close to two different areas, the battle was called by two different names. The North called it the Battle of Bull Run, while the South called it the Battle of Manassas. This was the first battle of the war, so it had been expected for a very long time. The Union troops were commanded by Commander Irving McDowell. The Southern troops were commanded by General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard. Beauregard and the Southerners were ready for the Union troops, since Stephen A. Douglas' aunt sent him a secret message. There were many viewers. It was expected the Union soldiers would end the war that day.
On July 21, 1861, the Union Soldiers moved across Bull Run Creek. Colonel Henry Warner Slocum ordered then left flank of the Union army to march and attack, to cause a diversion. It was part of the Union battle plan. The plan was going perfectly. The left flank carved its way through the Confederate army. Victory for the Union was so certain some soldiers even took souvenirs. People chanted "We'll catch Jeff Davis and hang him on a sour apple tree!" Or so they thought...
The Confederate Brigades faltered- except for the Virginian brigade, under Thomas Jackson. General Barnard Bee, trying to rally his troops, shouted, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians!" Though he was killed a little while later, the nickname stuck, so it was known Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was the leader of the Stonewall Brigade. General Bee inspired the Southerners. It was a turning point in the war. Also, reinforcements for the confederates arrived. The Union troops were tired. They had not reinforcements. Tired and hungry, the Union troops wildly retreated (in what may have been a rout) to Washington D.C. Luckily for the Union, however, the Confederates were too tired to chase the Union army and take the Capital, which would have ended the war.
After the first battle of Bull Run (Manassas), President Lincoln and his cabinet realized the war would be much longer than they thought it would be. They also realized that if they didn't win the war, they would not be able to save the Union.
There were many important people in the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). Some of them are listed, with a bit of information about what they did during the battle.
General Pierre Beauregard was the commanding officer for the confederates in the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas). His forces helped to win the battle.
General Barnard Bee was head of a Southern Brigade. Seeing Virginian Brigade leader Thomas Jackson standing like a stone wall, he gave him his nickname and helped to inspire the Southerners.
Confederate Calvary General Jeb Stuart distinguished himself in the First Battle of Bull Run (Manassas).
The Battle at Bull Run Creek
The Turning of the Tide
Realizations
Important People
General Thomas Jackson was the leader of the Virginia Brigade. During the first battle of Bull Run (Manassas), while the other brigades faltered, he stood like a stone wall with his brigade. His stand inspired the Southerners, and it helped them win the war.
Links
American Civil War web page
NBC information web page
Library web page
USA History web page