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ACW First Manassas

At last! It is complete. I bring to you all the re-created battlefield of the first major land engagement of the American Civil War. Hats off to our one and only Primergy the Great! Without his hard, dedicated work none of this would have been possible. Features you will presently see are the Robinson house, the Stone bridge, Stone house, Sudley church, Matthews hill, Henry hill, the various fords, as well as the dense wooded areas commonly associated with this part of Virginia. Known by the Union as 1st Bull Run, named after the winding creek which bordered the battlefield, known by Southerners as the battle of 1st Manassas, after the railroad junction. it was fought on July 21st, 1861. At the insistance of Northern politicians, as well as Abraham Lincoln. Recently appointed Brigadier General Irvin McDowell lead 37,000 untested Federal troops out of the defenses of Washington D.C. on July 16th, and marched them 25 miles to the battlefield to put to flight the Southern army & crush the rebellion.

Under the command of Pierre Gustav Toutant Beauregard, 22,000 Confederates marched North from Richmond after being informed of the movement made by McDowell, formed an 8 mile line on one side of Bull Run, and waited. At dawn on the 21st, contesting forces made contact at Blackburns Ford, McDowell ordered artillery to shell the Rebels across the creek. At the same time 2 Divisions of infantry under David Hunter and Samuel Heintzelman crossed at Sudley Ford, to make a flanking attack on the Confederate left. The Confederates were also attempting to flank around the Union left, which resulted in confusion. The Federals might have had more success, if it wasnt for the break down in communication which was vital for the synchronized attacks which were to be made. Union regiments and brigades were fed in piece-meal, defeating whatever numerical advantage the Union had. To make things worse for the Federals, 10,000 fresh troops were arriving by rail at the junction under the command of Joseph Johnston, who had decieved Union troops in the Shenandoah Valley, and marched over the mountains to join Beauregard.

Among the reinforcements arriving was a Virginia Brigade lead by Thomas J. Jackson, at the head of his men which would earn both their Brigade, and their commander, the infamous title of Stonewall. As Federal troops made repeated efforts to shove the Confederates off Henry House Hill, Jackson formed his 5 regiments. Colonel Bernard Elliot Bee, trying to rally his shattered men, was heard to say: "Theres Jackson and his Brigade! Standing like a stone wall! Let us determine to die here today and we will conquer! Rally behind the Virginians!" Bee would die that day, but his words will forever be associated with the steadfastness displayed by the sons of Virginia. Union troops advancing up Henry Hill would be greeted by a crashing volley let loose by the Southerners, decimating their ranks. At 4 PM, Beauregard ordered a counter-attack along the whole line.

Given the order to attack, the Confederates, let out the shrill, face splitting Rebel Yell, which would ring out for the first of many times over a hard fought field. The demoralized Federals broke into a panicked rout across Bull Run, where Northern spectators who had come to watch the battle were caught up in the disorganized panic sticken army, adding to the chaos, incessant Rebel artillery landed amongst the fleeing mass, destroying the Stone Bridge, overturning wagons, and caissons, and killing the young men who had so eagerly embarked on their mission days before. 5,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing as a result of this first engagement. Those who believed it would be a 90 day war were sobered with news of the defeat, the war, which had seemed to contain the glory & heroics of which dreams are made of, showed its grim reality. Untold suffering and hardship and death would engulf the Nation for 4 more years.