Download The Battles of Bull Run

The Battles of Bull Run
By Karan and Clifford
How Bull Run Started
In July 1861 newspapers wanted President
Lincoln to bring an end to the southern
rebellion. After all of the pressure, Union
General Irvin McDowell had a plan; he would
take his large army of 35,000 men around
Washington, thirty miles south and attack the
Confederates. They would guard the important
railroad intersection at Manassas, Virginia. If he
wins, he’ll clear the path to Richmond. Near this
was a river named Bull Run.
The Armies
McDowell’s army was organized into four
divisions of 35,000 men (in all). These divisions
were commanded by Tyler, Hunter,
Heintzlman, and Miles ( not entire names). The
Southern army was more unwieldy, basically
two armies with no divisions and thirteen
independent brigades commanded by Bonham,
Ewell, Jones, Longstreet, Early, Holmes,
Beauregard, Jackson, and more (not entire
names).
First Battle of Bull Run
On July 21, 1861 General McDowell ordered the divisions
of Hunter and Heintzelman (from Centreville) to march
southwest on the Warrenton Turnpike and then to turn
northwest to Sudley Springs while Tyler's division
marched directly towards Stone Bridge. Tyler’s army
blocked the main flanking column on the turnpike. They
reached Stone Bridge around 6:00 a.m. A couple
rounds of artillery alerted the Confederate Generals to
attack but in the path stood 20,000 Union soldiers. A
Union General shouted, “There stands Jackson like a
stone wall!” (That’s how he became known as
Stonewall Jackson.) In one lucky attempt the
Confederates won!
Second Battle of Bull Run
The second battle began on Aug. 29-30,
1862 at Groveton. Part of the Union army
was greatly reduced when they failed to
prevent General Lee’s army. They had
received no reinforcements or supplies.
Their general, Pope, ordered McDowell
and Porter to attack General Lee’s army
where they were fired at by artillery and
rifles. The Confederates won again when
the Union fell back.
Resources & Maps
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.usa-civil-war.com/Manassas/manassas_1-2.html