What caused the Battle of Bull Run?
In the summer of 1861 a Union Army of 30,000 was being trained near Washington, but they were not ready for battle. Yet, there was a cry from the newspapers of the time to end the war in a hurry. Prodding by the press and the public finally forced action, contrary to the better judgement of the generals. On July 21, 1861 raw troops marched out of Washington. The Union force encountered a smaller Confederate army at Bull Run (Manassas Junction). The battle started out well for the Yankees, but “Stonewall” Jackson’s gray army stood like a stone wall (this is where he won his nickname) and Confederate reinforcement arrived. Panic seized the raw troops, many fled in confusion. The Confederate army was tired and disorganized as well finished the captured lunches of the people who came to watch. This battle was significant psychologically. Defeat was better than victory for the Union because it showed that this was not going to be a quick easy war. For the South it inflated an already danger
