First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas): The Wake-Up Call for Both Sides in the American Civil War

Q: What was the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) and when was it fought?

The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) was the first major battle of the American Civil War and was fought on 21 July 1861 at Manassas Junction, Virginia.

Q: Why does the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) have two names?

The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) has two names - like almost all Civil War battles - because the Union named battles after waterways (streams, creeks) and the Confederates named battles after towns. Manassas Junction was a town; Bull Run was a stream.

Q: Who won the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas)?

The Confederate army under P.G.T. Beauregard defeated the Union army under Irvin McDowell at the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas).

Q: Why was the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) fought?

The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) was fought because the North believed it could end the war quickly by capturing the Confederate capital of Richmond. The Union army advanced toward Richmond and was stopped, and defeated, at Manassas Junction.

Joshua J. Mark

First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas)

The Wake-Up Call for Both Sides in the American Civil War

Definition

The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) on 21 July 1861 was the first major battle of the American Civil War and a wake-up call for both sides which, until then, believed that the war would be over quickly, and they would come out the winner. Each side pointed to earlier, smaller, battles to support their claim.

More about: First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas)

Timeline

16 Jul 1861 - 20 Jul 1861
Union and Confederate forces prepare for the First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas).
21 Jul 1861
The First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas) is fought; the first major battle of the American Civil War.

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