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The First Battle of Bull Run or the Battle of First Manassas was the First Major Battle of the American Civil War. It was fought in a day of heavy fighting on July 21, 1861 at a farming area outside of the village of Manassas, Virginia. There had been several skirmishes before The First Battle of Bull Run. However this was a much bloodier engagement as both sides had by this time organized into the beginnings of large armies.
Union Forces were advancing near this area to meet or encircle the Confederate Army in the field. This area is directly within the Line of Battle at the begging of the engagement and where the actual first major shooting took place.
First Bull Run Civil War Battle Map Please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Bull_Run for more on this part of our American Heritage.
The Aftermath:
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 latter was Col. Francis S. Bartow, who was the first Confederate brigade commander to be killed in the Civil War. General Bee was mortally wounded and died the following day.
The Northern public was shocked at the unexpected loss of their army in a battle for which an easy victory was widely anticipated. Both sides quickly came to realize that the war would be longer and more brutal than they had thought. On July 22 President Lincoln signed a bill that provided for the enlistment of 500,000 men for up to three years of service.
The Manassas Bull Runners are working hard to prepare the trails for the expected hundreds of visitors from around the nation and beyond to the First Battles 150th anniversary on July 21, 2011.
To join us on this exciting historical initiative please contact PATC District Manger Bud Cunnally at budcunnally@verizon.net or call 703-393-9808
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