The First Battle of Bull Run HomeCivil WarChat RoomCombat Arms

(1) The First Battle of Bull Run

Overview

DateJuly 21st 1861
WinnerConfederate Army
Union Deaths2,896 of 30,000
Confederate Deaths1,982 of 32,000
Total Deaths4,878 Deaths

Map

This is a map of where the First Battle of Bull Run took place. There is a marker on the map. It you go to satellite view, and zoom in, you can see the war memorial set up there to honor the soldiers.

Have a look around the area. As you can see, the battle is very near to Bull Run City.


Strategies

Even though the Union was much better equipped that the Confederate Sates, they still lost this battle. Look below to see some of the things that caused the Union's defeat.

  1. The Union's first attack of the battle contained 12,000 soldiers, but logistical (transporting) problems hampered about 8,000 of them.
  2. The Union fired artillery weapons at Mitchel's Ford towards the south very early in the morning.
    • Some of these weapons did hit the enemy headquarters, alerting the enemy of their presence
    • Poor communication prevented the Confederate States from quickly being dispatched.
  3. Many commands that the Confederate Commanders ordered never reach their intended person, so many orders for back-up were never received.
  4. At about 11:00am, a group of Confederate soldiers were defeated by the overwhelming Union Forces.