First Battle Of Bull Run Research Papers

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First Battle of Bull Run

On July 21, 1861, the Union and Confederate armies fought near Manassas Junction, Virginia. This was known as the first major battle of the American Civil war, also known as the Battle of Bull Run or Manassas. The fight began when 35,000 Union troops marched from the capital in Washington, D.C to attack the Confederate force of 20,000 by a small river called Bull Run. Right after fighting on defense most of the day, the rebels rounded up and broke the Union’s right flank, sending the Federals to retreat towards Washington. The Confederate victory gave them the confidence and shocked the North, who soon realized the war will not be won as easily as they thought. Two months after the Confederate soldiers opened fire …show more content…

Two armies fought a day long battle, that resulted up to 5,000 casualties. In April of 1861, the first shots of Bull Run were fired at Fort Sumter, which ended up changing the United States forever. The significance behind the first battle of Bull Run, was the first major land battle of the Civil War. This was also the battle that made the war become real to many. To include, before the first Battle of Bull Run, a lot of people in the North and South fantasized about the war. However, the deaths of both the troops and civilians hit home for many, as they now were fully aware that the war wasn't going to end any time soon. There were three significant teleological beginnings that happened during this time. First, was the aerial McDowell had ordered from a hot air balloon, second was Johnston’s reinforcement of Beau regard, this was the first reinforcement by rail, and the last technicality advancement was a signal in combat by captain Edward Porter. This informed Edward Porter that Union Forces were trying to flank him, letting him adjust to the position of the counterattack. Furthermore, future leaders on both the Confederate side and the Union fought at the first battle of Bull run. The leaders on the Union side were, Ambrose E. Burnside and William T. Sherman. For the Confederates there were Wade Hampton, and Thomas J. Jackson, also known as stonewall Jackson. Although, the Confederates had won the first battle of Bull run, they were still disorganized to pursue the Union troops. This set northerners who expected a quick victory and gave hope to the southerners that they can pull off the war after