The beginning of the American 
Civil War was greeted on both 
sides with a flourish of 
patriotism and a vision of a 
quick, romantic struggle.  
Bowing to the tide of popular 
opinion, Union President Lincoln
disregarded the advice of his 
military advisors and ordered 
General McDowell to advance into
the South.

On July 18th, 1861, McDowell 
was sent to Virginia with the 
purpose of engaging Confederate 
General Beauregard in battle.  
Beauregard's army was found in
defensive positions behind a 
muddy, slow-moving stream called 
Bull Run.  Behind the Confederate
lines was the vital railroad 
center, Manassas Junction.

veteran commanders and green 
troops comprised both the 
Confederate and Union Armies in 
1861.  After hours of fighting,
it looked as if the raw
Confederate line, under the 
command of General Bee, was 
about to break under Union 
pressure.  Bee, looking for a 
way to rally his troops, looked 
over the battle field to see 
Confederate General Jackson.

"There is Jackson, standing 
like a stone wall!  Rally 
behind the Virginians!"  Bee's 
troops rallied and held against 
the Union assault - and Jackson
gained the nickname "Stonewall".

As Bee's troops rallied, fresh 
Confederate troops arrived by 
train.  The newly arrived 
Confederates were wearing blue 
uniforms - and proceeded to 
advance unthreateningly on the 
Union artillery positions.  By 
the time the Union soldiers 
realized the approaching troops 
were Rebels and not Yankees, 
they were swept from their 
position and the Union assault
collapsed.

Not having anything left to 
give, the Union troops headed 
home.  The first battle of the 
Civil War went to the South.