1st Bull Run/1st Manassas

Free Web Site - Free Web Space and Site Hosting - Web Hosting - Internet Store and Ecommerce Solution Provider - High Speed Internet

CivilWarStory's
Production of
"Video Minutes"

Most if not all of the major battles and battlefields of the Civil War can be identified by 2 different names. The present subject, "The First Battle of Bull Run" (1st Bull Run) is also widely known and referred to as the "Battle of Manassas" (1st Manassas). From the first battles of the Civil War the North and South had their own methods for naming battles and battlefields.
As the strategicly important Manassas rail junction was in close proximity to one of the most murderous sites of the War, and, as the Confederates were apt to name battles after the nearest city or town, they called this fight First Manassas. The Union, on the other hand, always used the name of the nearest stream, river, or creek, hence the name, Bull Run.

For the first 3 months of the Civil War the opposing forces saw only minor skirmishes in the border states of Missouri and the western territories of Virginia (soon to be named West Virginia).
Unfortunately, photographers were unable to capture any
Battlefield images until over a year had passed since the battle was waged. As reporters and historians had to wait until the Rebels withdrew from the area leaving it a less dangerous place to trod.

On July 16th Federal columns of foot soldiers, artilery and cavalry units were on the march through Confederate territory to Bull Run, Virginia. Following along with these troops toward thier first battle were large groups of civilians, reporters and politicians. All just as cheerful as could be, anticipating of a victory celebration in Richmond, the Confederate Capital.

The dawning rays of sunlight on Sunday morning, July, 21 saw the 30,000 strong battle lines of the Confederate army spread out the considerable distance of roughly 8 miles along Bull Run.
Having marched through half the night some of the Union forces had taken up positions at Sudly Springs , only 2 miles from the Confederate left flank, and near the
Stone Bridge over Bull Run
As discribed by Confederate Private John Goode:

Before sunrise....great clouds of dust might be seen....plainly indicating that the enemy were advancing; and soon the roar of heavy artillery was heard; shot and shell came streaming like lost spirits through the air; and the advancing hosts were momentarily expected to appear.",

On a ridge overlooking the Union advance is newspaperman Charles Coffin of the Bosten Globe:

"The Union troops at Sudley Springs move across the stream. The men are 5 paces apart. They move slowly, causiously through the fields and thickets. Suddenly, from bushes, trees, and fences there is a rattle of musketry. There are jets of flame and smoke, and a strange humming in the air. There is another rattle, a roll, a volley. The cannon join."

More from Charles Coffin:

Men fall....they are bleeding, torn and mangled....The trees are splintered, crushed, and broken, as if smitten by thunder bolts. Twigs and leaves fall to the ground. There is smoke, dust, wild talking, shouting, hissings, howlings, explosions. It is a new, strange, unanticipated experience to the soldiers of both armies, far different than they thought it would be."

At this point in the battle the inexperienced Confederate troops were out numbered and getting whipped, though they were too new to battle to know it.
As the pressure mounts with the growing number of Federal troops in thier front, the Confederates began to fall back, leaving their dead, wounded, and some who had been taken prisoner behind. With the surging force of a great ocean wave, the Federal troops advance on the heals of the retreating Confederates.
Pushed beyond the imposing and
historic Stone House and across a stream called
Youngs Branch (a branch of Bull Run), they are joined on a nearby
Plateau by Hamptons Legion, 600 men all equiped and led by the rich South Carolina planter Wade Hampton (also one of the largest slave owners in the south). Joined there also by a brigade led by Thomas Jackson, who will leave this battle forever after known as Stonewall Jackson.
He earned his nickname when he was seen standing on the battlefield "like a stone wall"

Situated about 100 yards apart on top of this plateau are 2 houses, one is owned by a free negro, James Robinson and the other is owned and presently occupied by the widow Judith Henrey. Stationed near the Henry house from the start of the battle is a Confederate artillary battery led by John Imboden . Looking out from this position one could clearly see the 2 Federal artillary batteries of Griffin's and Rickett's positioned on the hills in the distance. John Imboden said that at this point his battery was taking a beating by those of Rickett's and Griffins artillary in the distance, and they were forced to retreat:

"More than half of our horses had ben killed...Those that we had were quickly divide up among the guns nd caissons (ammo wagons), and we limbered up and fled. Then it was that the Henrey house was riddled...for our line of retreat was so chosen that...the house would conceal us from Griffin's battery, and, in a measure, shelter us from the dreaded fire of the infantry when they should reach the crest we had just abandoned. Several of Griffin's shots passed through the house, scattering shingles, boards and splinters all around us."
Regretably, the 80 year old widow Henrey was in the house at the time. Relates an unnamed writer for the Richmond Enquirer:

"This estimable lady, who had spent here a long life...was now bed ridden. There she lay amid the horrid din, and no less than 3 of the missles of death that scoured through her chambers, inflicting their wounds upon her. It seems a strange dispensation of Providence that one whos likfe had been so gentle and secluded should have found her end amid such a storm of human passions."

Ruins

of Judith Henry's House

The Henry house today

As more and more Confederate reinforcements arrived on the field a panic ensued in the Union lines which soon developed into a rout. Thousands of terrified soldiers and civilians with their horses, wagons, and carts all at once began a retreat along the roads and in the fields back towards Washington (approx 25 miles distant)

There were some important revelations brought to light during and after this first major battle of the Civil War. One of the formost of those revelations was the absolute need for better training of recruits.
Lack of training and dicipline coupled with similar colors of uniforms and flags led some people to call the two battling armies the, "Fight of the Amatuers."
We know that General Joe Johnston's Confederate troops took advantage of the timely arrival of reinforcements, tall grass, and confusion, henceforth winning the battle over a greater number of
General Erwin Mc Dowell's Federals.
For President Lincoln and millions of other American citizens it was a stunning blow to learn of the Confederates having defeated U.S troops at the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia. Receiving this news was made even whorse by the rout which followed.
Lincoln being suddenly aware of the threat of a long, drawn-out confict, and the army's need for organization and training, Lincoln replaced McDowell with General George B. McClellan. In this first battle of the four years long war there were 2,950 U.S. and 1,750 Confederate casualties. There could be no mistaking, the war had indeed begun. The high casualty rate shocked the nation both in the North and in the South.

Please click on the musket below to return to the
Menu Page or use you browser back button.
Site Navigation Menu

Menu Page Page 1
Home Menu Page
2

Guest Book Message Board E-mail

F.A.Q.

OneStat

Menu Page	Page 1 Home	Menu Page 2
Guest Book	Message Board	E-mail
	F.A.Q.