The battle of bull run was the first land battle of the civil war. It was fought three months after the first battle of the war, the battle at Fort Sumter. Bull run was fought on July 21, 1861. The name Bull Run comes from the creek that ran through the area where the battle occurred. This battle was significant for many reasons. The battle of Bull Run showed many people that this war would not be won easily by either side due to the death of thousands of troops and many civilians.
       This was an extremely bloody battle and neither army was prepared for it. Pressure from politicians and the public pushed the federal government to order Irvin McDowell to move southwest of Washington to Bull Run, to move against Richmond, Virginia. A confederate spy gave the Confederate army information about the Unions intentions and tactics. On July 21, the Union army mounted their assault against the Confederates. The battle went back and forth with both sides taking the offensive alternatively. Finally Johnson of the south's final brigade, forced the federals into a disorganized retreat to Washington.
       This was the bloodiest battle in American history at the time. The Union lost 460 men, had 1,124 wounded, and had 1,312 missing or captured. The Confederacy lost 387 men, had 1,582 wounded and only 13 went missing or were captured. The Union feared that the Confederacy would march on Washington D.C. following the battle. The day after the battle president Lincoln signed a bill that enlisted 500,000 men for a 3 year service term. The south realized that the north would now be a serious threat so they remained silent. They knew a bigger battle would shortly follow and they would eventually be defeated. Beauregard was considered a hero in the battle and was promoted by president Davis to the rank of general in the Confederate army. General McDowell of the Union was blamed for the loss of the battle and was replaced by Major General George B. McClellan.
       The battle of bull run was a major eye opener for both sides in the war. It proved to the north that the south would be a force to reckon with. It taught the south that this war would be fought on their home front, and the loss of life would be far greater than any expected. It was the first land battle of the war and the first major battle as well. The battle of bull run was the start of the war that would further divide the nation.

"Civil War Trusts." The Battle of Bull Run Summary and Facts. Civil War Trusts, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://civilwar.org/Battlefields/bullrun.html>.

"Eye Witness to History-History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived it." Eye Witness to History-History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived it. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012 http://eyewitnesstohistory.com/.


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