The Battle of Bull Run
Civil War
What is the Battle of Bull Run?
The battle of Bull run is the first battle of the Civil War. This took place in July 21, 1861 near the city of Manassas, Virginia. The goal of this war was to capture the Confederate capitol of Richmond, Virginia.
Battle Plan of the Battle of Bull Run
General McDowell planned to launch two separate attacks on the Confederates forces and split his army into three columns. Two of those columns were going to attack the Confederates at Bull Run.
The Map Of the Battle of Bull Run
The Soldiers movements.
Battle of Bull Run
Battle of Bull RUn
The Battle
On July 21, 1861, McDowell dispatched 12,000 troops along the Warrenton Turnpike. These troops were sent out at 2:30 a.m. to make the Confederates a surprise. From the start things went wrong not as planned. The Union leader had failed to realize the roads into Sudley Springs were often little more than dirt tracks. As a result, the army did not reach the Bull Run River until 9:30 a.m. The Confederates were forced to retreat, having suffered a surprise attack from the Union. McDowell failed to go home and he instead ordered his army to the enemy locations. The Confederates had earn victory in this battle. After this battle, there was more and more battles over the years.