The Battle of Bull Run took place on July 21st 1861 during the American Civil War when 28,000 Union forces under McDowell were routed by 31,000 Confederate forces under Jonston and Gustave Beauregard. Six Confederate brigades lay posted along the stream at Bull Run, Virginia, and these McDowell resolved to attack. Tyler was sent across the stone bridge to threaten the Confederate front. Hunter and Heintzelman were dispatched to make a detour and attack the enemy's flank and rear. But Edward Johnston had also decided to hasten the attack in order to anticipate Patterson's arrival with reinforcements for McDowell. However, McDowell moved first and so Edward Johnston adopted a defence. Tyle and Hunter were slow in their movements; by midday McDowell had turned the Confederate left flank and uncovered the stone bridge, but instead of following up his advantage and taking up position at the Manassas depot, he instead pursued the fleeing Confederate forces into the forest only to be repulsed by Edward Johnston, who gained the title 'Stonewall' for his efforts. Edward Johnston rallied his right flank, Gustave Beauregard the left flank, and the tide of battle turned in the Confederate's favour. Suddenly, 17,000 more Confederate troops appeared from Manassas and the Unionists were charged. McDowell and the Unionist forces were driven from the plateau and routed. Research Battle of Bull Run
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Research Battle of Bull Run