USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -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.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Confederate victory gave the South a surge of confidence and shocked many in the North, who realized the war would not be won as easily as they had hoped.

Detailed explanation-3: -Men, women, and even children came to witness the predicted Union victory, bringing along picnic baskets and opera glasses. Bull Run soon became known as the “picnic battle.” Among the civilian ranks were some of Congress’s most powerful senators-many of whom had called for just such a campaign.

Detailed explanation-4: -July 21, 1861 Federal forces under General Irvin McDowell attempted to flank Confederate positions by crossing Bull Run but were turned back. The end result of the battle was a Confederate victory and Federal forces retreated to the defenses of Washington, DC.

Detailed explanation-5: -Bull Run was the first full-scale battle of the Civil War. The fierce fight there forced both the North and South to face the sobering reality that the war would be long and bloody.