FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN: PREVIEW OF WARS TO COME © Darry D Eggleston

In addition to Independence Confederate reinforcements arrived Day, on the 4th, July, this month on the battlefield and, led by recalls another anniversary. warriors like General “Stonewall” It was a time of brother taking Jackson, carried the day. up arms against brother. It was a result of men placing their loyalty to their states above their loyalty to their nation. It was a homeland drenched in the blood of its sons most of whom never really under- stood what they were fighting for or against. The First Battle of Bull Run, also called the First Battle of Ma- nassas, took place on July 21, 1861, and was the first major land battle of the “” or the “War Between the States”. Federal troops led by General McDowell advanced towards Ma- nassas Junction, where Confed- Almost immediately, the erate troops were dug in, blocking retreat of the turned into the road to Richmond. The Union a complete rout. It was impossible Army had 34,000 troops ready to to stop the retreating soldiers from attack 25,000 Confederate forces heading all the way back to the spread out over eight miles on the Potomac River. In the midst of the other side of Bull Run Creek. flight were hundreds of sightseers Both Confederate and Union from Washington, including six troops were not ready for battle. senators and 10 Congressmen. Union troops advanced on Confe- As Congressman Albert G. derate troops, almost breaking Riddle stated: “We called to them, through, but at the last moment, tried to tell them there was no

For more memories, visit http://DarryD.com (May 29, 2020) page 1 of 2 FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN: PREVIEW OF WARS TO COME danger, called them to stop, im- Our nation, for the first time, plored them to stand. We called saw modern warfare for what it was them cowards, denounced them and is: a killing zone. It would be in the most offensive term, put the last war fought with bands out our heavy revolvers, and playing and tourists gawking. threatened to shoot them, but all War creates victims and little in vain; a cruel crazy, mad, else. The winner writes the history; hopeless panic possessed them, but, both sides, suffer the pain, loss and communicated to everybody and death. about in front and rear. The There are many Websites that heat was awful, although now retell this tragic tale and part of the about six; the men were exhaus- American Legend. I encourage you ted their mouths’ gaped, their to visit them. You will learn that the lips cracked and blackened with war mongers, politicians and entre- preneurs call for paying “any price” the powder of the cartridges they but the soldiers pay that price. had bitten off in the battle, their eyes starting in frenzy; no mortal The lost lives, severed limbs ever saw such a mass of ghastly and forever-crippled minds are sel- wretches .” dom recalled in stories about the The equally tired and inexpe- “glory” of war. rienced Confederates however, The Battle of Bull Run reveal- were in no shape to conduct an ed it all too clearly to the civilians effective pursuit, so the battle who began their day with picnic ended. baskets and visions of the glory and The U.S. Army lost about ended their day in the gory that is 3,000 casualties (killed, wounded, war. and captured or missing), and the Confederates suffered about 2,000.

For more memories, visit http://DarryD.com (May 29, 2020) page 2 of 2