Page 2

(1st Manassas (1st Bull Run))

1st Manassas

On April 15, 1861, after the attack on Fort Sumter Lincoln had called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion.  Men flocked to the colors, anticipating a nice summer holiday with pay, and a bit of martial glory thrown in as well.  But the volunteers were only obligated to serve 90 days.

 Time passed for the Union in organizing regiments, securing Baltimore, and scouting the perimeter of the Confederacy, especially Virginia.  Now, with Washington D.C. secure, and the 90-day time limit closing in, it was time to use the army or lose it.  Winfield Scott, the Union's senior general, wasn't enthusiastic about sending out his raw troops, but political pressure was heavy.

 Brigadier General Irvin McDowell led his 35,000 man army out of Washington, looking to push into Virginia, find and defeat whatever Rebel force he found, move on to Richmond, and disperse the rebellion.  He knew most of his army wasn't well trained, and had lots of inexperienced officers, so he used small brigades, mixing volunteer units with Regulars.  He also made sure that all the brigade and division commanders were experienced.  His march was essentially a frontal assault, and he relied on having more men than the Confederates.

 The Confederates had about as many men, but divided in two commands, one facing Washington, the other defending the Shenandoah Valley.  Their Army of the Potomac (roughly 22,000) was under Pierre Beauregard, while Joseph Johnston commanded the Army of the Valley (around 12,000) around Winchester, Virginia. 

The Union plan was to pressure Johnston and attack Beauregard, but Robert Patterson, Union commander at Harper's Ferry, couldn't put enough pressure on Johnston.  He only skirmished with Thomas Jackson, commanding Johnston's northern detachment, at Hoke's Run.  When the pressure eased Johnston he moved the bulk of his troops east, along the Manassas Gap Railroad, to reinforce Beauregard.

 Meanwhile, McDowell had been moving towards Beauregard's positions along the small creek known as Bull Run.  He probed the Confederate right at Blackburn's Ford, found it stronger than he liked, and drew up a more complicated plan for what turned into the Battle of Bull Run. 

Official Reports:

Manassas or Bull Run Campaign

Page 2

(1st Manassas (1st Bull Run))