Bull Run

Bull Run during the Civil War was the site of not one but two major battles. Both times

the battle was devastating to the Union army and a great victory to the Confederates. It also was

major turning points for both armies.

The first battle of Bull Run is considered the first major battle of the Civil War. Shortly

after the battle of Fort Sumter, General Winfield Scott ordered the poorly trained Union army

under the command of General Irvin McDowell to begin the march to Richmond, Virginia, the

capital of the Confederate States of America. At this time it was still believed if you took the

opposing army’s capital you would win the war. Along this march to Richmond the Union army

moved very slowly giving the Confederate army, commanded by General Beauregard, time to

prepare at Manassas Junction.(Jordan 1969, pg58). By the time the Union army arrived at Bull

Run they were exhausted and being volunteers they were not prepared for battle.

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