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Battle of Bull Run Timeline

(July 21, 1861 – August 30, 1862)

The Battles of Bull Run, also known as the First and Second Battles of Manassas, were two major engagements of the American Civil War fought near Manassas Junction, Virginia. The First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, was the first large-scale battle of the war and shattered Northern hopes of a quick victory, while the Second Battle in August 1862 was another decisive Confederate victory under Robert E. Lee. Less

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Secession and Prelude

South Carolina declares secession

Dec 20, 1860

On December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first of seven Southern states to declare secession from the Union of the United States, setting in motion the chain of events that would lead to civil war.

Image source: First Battle of Bull Run

South Carolina declares secession

More Southern states secede

Feb 1, 1861

By February 1, 1861, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas had passed ordinances of secession, joining South Carolina in leaving the Union.

Confederate Constitution adopted

Feb 8, 1861

On February 8, 1861, the Constitution of the Confederate States of America was adopted in Montgomery, Alabama, formally establishing the government of the new Confederacy.

Image source: Confederate States of America

Confederate Constitution adopted

Confederates take control at Charleston

Mar 1, 1861

On March 1, 1861, Confederate States Army forces assumed control of the military situation at Charleston, South Carolina from state forces, tightening their grip on the harbor where Fort Sumter stood.

Bombardment of Fort Sumter

Apr 12, 1861

Open warfare between the Confederate States and the United States began when Confederate forces barraged Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, which had been occupied by the United States Army since December 26, 1860.

Image source: Fort Sumter

Bombardment of Fort Sumter

Lincoln proclaims an insurrection

Apr 15, 1861

Two days after the Federal Army forces surrendered at Fort Sumter, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring that an insurrection against the laws of the United States had taken place.

Image source: Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln proclaims an insurrection

Confederate capital moves to Richmond

May 29, 1861

With the arrival of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate States capital was moved from Montgomery, placing it close to the front lines near Washington, D.C.

Image source: Jefferson Davis

Confederate capital moves to Richmond

Aftermath and Legacy

Battle's name causes controversy

1861

The name of the battle has caused controversy since 1861: Northerners typically called it Bull Run after the stream, while Southerners called it Manassas after the nearby town.

Image source: Names of the American Civil War

Battle's name causes controversy

Stonewall Jackson receives no special recognition

Jul 21, 1861

Stonewall Jackson, arguably the most important tactical contributor to the victory, received no special recognition after Bull Run, though he would later achieve glory for his 1862 Valley campaign.

Image source: Stonewall Jackson

Stonewall Jackson receives no special recognition

Both sides lose about 1700 each

Jul 21, 1861

Both Union and Confederate killed, wounded, and missing were a little over 1700 each, sobering figures that shattered hopes of a short war on both sides.

Rebel novel describes the battle

1993

The battle is described in Rebel (1993), the first volume of Bernard Cornwell's The Starbuck Chronicles series of historical novels.

Murder at 1600 features battle relief

1997

In Murder at 1600, Detective Harlan Regis (Wesley Snipes) has built a plan-relief of the battle which plays a certain role in the plot of the film.

Image source: Murder at 1600

Murder at 1600 features battle relief

Manassas novel published

1999

Manassas (1999) is the first volume in the James Reasoner Civil War Series of historical novels, drawing on the battle for its subject matter.

Buildup of Armies

Scott lays out his strategy

May 3, 1861

General Winfield Scott laid out his strategy on May 3, 1861 to subdue the Confederate States, a plan that would shape Union military operations in the war's early months.

Image source: Winfield Scott

Scott lays out his strategy

Patterson's Department return

Jun 28, 1861

An abstract from the return of the Department of Pennsylvania, commanded by Major-General Patterson, dated June 28, 1861, documented Union strength as forces maneuvered in the Shenandoah Valley.

Image source: First Battle of Bull Run order of battle: Union

Patterson's Department return

Johnston's division returns

Jun 30, 1861

A field return for June 30, 1861 recorded the strength of Johnston's division, or Army of the Shenandoah (C.S.A.), which would soon be moved by rail to reinforce Beauregard at Manassas.

Image source: Joseph E. Johnston

Johnston's division returns

Union volunteers camped around Washington

Jul 1861

By July 1861, many of the thousands of Union volunteers who had answered Lincoln's call were camped in and around Washington, D.C., eager for action against the Confederates massing nearby.

McDowell's department returns

Jul 16, 1861 - Jul 17, 1861

Abstracts from the returns of the Department of Northeastern Virginia, commanded by Brigadier-General McDowell, U.S.A., for July 16 and 17, 1861 documented the army as it began its advance toward Manassas Junction.

Image source: Irvin McDowell

McDowell's department returns

Battle of Bull Run

Hampton's Enfield rifles

Jul 21, 1861

Hammond had purchased approximately 400 Pattern 1853 Enfield rifles to equip his men; however, it is not clear if his troops had them at Bull Run or if the weapons arrived after the battle.

Image source: Wade Hampton III

Hampton's Enfield rifles

Confederate casualties at Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

Confederate casualties at the battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 also totaled a little over 1700 killed, wounded, and missing, roughly equal to Union losses despite the Southern victory.

Confederate field returns

Jul 21, 1861

An abstract front field return of the First Corps (Army of the Potomac) dated July 21, 1861 documented the Confederate force under Beauregard that won the battle.

Union artillery lost in the battle

Jul 21, 1861

Union artillery lost in the battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 included guns abandoned during the chaotic retreat toward Washington, a significant material loss for the Federal army.

Union casualties at Bull Run

Jul 21, 1861

Union casualties at the battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 numbered over 1700 killed, wounded, and missing, reflecting the costly repulse of the Federal advance.

Battle of Bull Run fought

Jul 21, 1861

The battle was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, just north of what is now the city of Manassas and about thirty miles west-southwest of Washington, D.C. It ended in a decisive Confederate victory.

Commemoration

Manassas park listed on National Register

Oct 15, 1966

As a historic area under the National Park Service, Manassas National Battlefield Park was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.

Image source: Manassas National Battlefield Park

Manassas park listed on National Register

Battlefield land preserved since 2010

Jan 1, 2010

The American Battlefield Trust and its partners have preserved more than 385 acres of the battlefields at Manassas in 15 transactions since 2010, mostly on the Second Manassas Battlefield.

American Bus Association honors county

2011

Prince William County was named the number one tourist destination in the United States for 2011 by the American Bus Association for its efforts in highlighting the historical impact of the Civil War.

County commemorates Civil War sesquicentennial

Jan 1, 2011 - Dec 31, 2011

Prince William County staged special events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War throughout 2011, drawing visitors to sites including the Bull Run battlefield.

Image source: Prince William County, Virginia

County commemorates Civil War sesquicentennial

City of Manassas sesquicentennial events

Jul 21, 2011 - Jul 24, 2011

The City of Manassas commemorated the 150th anniversary of the battle July 21–24, 2011 with ceremonies and educational programs honoring those who fought there.

Image source: Manassas, Virginia

City of Manassas sesquicentennial events

Battle reenactment staged

Jul 23, 2011 - Jul 24, 2011

The cornerstone of the commemoration event featured a large reenactment of the battle on July 23–24, 2011, recreating the fighting of 150 years earlier before thousands of spectators.

Key Facts

  1. The First Battle of Bull Run, fought on July 21, 1861, was the first major land battle of the American Civil War.
  2. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earned the nickname 'Stonewall' for his steadfast defense at Henry House Hill during the first battle.
  3. Many civilians from Washington, D.C. traveled to watch the first battle, expecting a quick Union victory, but fled in panic when Union troops retreated.
  4. The Second Battle of Bull Run, fought August 28–30, 1862, ended in another Confederate victory under Generals Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and James Longstreet.
  5. The Union defeats at Bull Run forced Lincoln to replace General Irvin McDowell with George B. McClellan and made it clear the war would be long and costly.

Source

This Battle of Bull Run timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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