Nobody realized that the battle fought at Bull Run on July 21, 1861, was going to be remembered as the first gory conflict in a long and bloody war.
Bull Run, the first land battle of the Civil War, was fought at a time when many Americans believed the conflict would be short and relatively bloodless, writes the Senate Historical Office. That’s part of the reason why civilians did go out to watch it.
Those onlookers did bring food and even picnic baskets to watch the battle. As Jim Burgess writes for the Civil War Trust, though, it was anything but a leisurely day out for either spectators or combatants. Picnic food âwas more of a necessity than a frivolous pursuit on a Sunday afternoon,â writes Burgess. Centreville, where the battle was fought, was a seven-hour carriage ride away from Washington, and Union onlookers âcould not rely on the hospitality of local Virginians, now citizens of a rival nation,â he writes.
Despite their victory, Confederate troops were far too disorganized to press their advantage and pursue the retreating Yankees, who reached Washington by July 22. The First Battle of Bull Run (called First Manassas in the South) cost some 3,000 Union casualties, compared with 1,750 for the Confederates. Its outcome sent northerners who had expected a quick, decisive victory reeling, and gave rejoicing southerners a false hope that they themselves could pull off a swift victory. In fact, both sides would soon have to face the reality of a long, grueling conflict that would take an unimaginable toll on the country and its people.
MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY OF ROCHESTER
ROCHESTERMILITARY.COM
