USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The first land battle of the Civil War was fought on July 21, 1861, just 30 miles from Washington-close enough for U.S. senators to witness the battle in person. Southerners called it the Battle of Manassas, after the closest town. Northerners called it Bull Run, after a stream running through the battlefield.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.