150th Battle Of Bull Run Reenactment - Manassas, Virginia

150th Battle Of Bull Run Reenactment - Manassas, Virginia Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War 2011-2015
Also see: http://PrinceWilliamCounty.com

The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas (the name used by Confederate forces), was fought on July 21, 1861, in Prince William County, Virginia, near the City of Manassas. It was the first major land battle of the American Civil War.

Just months after the start of the war at Fort Sumter, the Northern public clamored for a march against the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, which could bring an early end to the war. Yielding to this political pressure, unseasoned Union Army troops under Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell advanced across Bull Run against the equally unseasoned Confederate Army under Brig. Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard near Manassas Junction. McDowell's ambitious plan for a surprise flank attack against the Confederate left was not well executed by his inexperienced officers and men, but the Confederates, who had been planning to attack the Union left flank, found themselves at an initial disadvantage.

Confederate reinforcements under the command of Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Johnston arrived from the Shenandoah Valley by railroad and the course of the battle changed. A brigade of Virginians under a relatively unknown colonel from the Virginia Military Institute, Thomas J. Jackson, stood their ground and Jackson received his famous nickname, "Stonewall Jackson". The Confederates launched a strong counterattack and as the Union troops began withdrawing under pressure, many panicked and it turned into a rout as they frantically ran in the direction of nearby Washington, D.C. Both sides were sobered by the violence and casualties of the battle, and they realized that the war would potentially be much longer and bloodier than they had originally anticipated.

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[cjoutdoors1991]

I would've loved to see the cavalry fight at the end.

[areacable]

there was some cavalry action in the video but I agree more would have been better!

[Empotrado]

Could someone tell me what the title of the song the musicians who play at minute 6:42?

thanks

[areacable]

Ashokan Farewell

[touchdown081]

is it allowed to take part if you are european? i would jet over just for this...

[areacable]

I'm sure they would welcome you!

[areacable]

thanks for the kind words. the hardest part is getting the footage. the editing in this was basic.

[Thefuturelooksbright]

This wasn't easy to produce nor edit. Well maybe, if you're professional and it looks like you are. Nice work indeed!

[Distorted401]

You do realize that there were more than one reason for that, right? It was more than slavery because most Southerners didn't even own a slave. Also, many just felt an obligation to support what their state(their politicians) support.

[taiko729]

That's how it was in the beginning of the war. Each regiment chose their own colors. That's why there are so many stories of friendly fire at First Manassas(Bull Run 1).

[taiko729]

What was the first song the drummer boys played?

[87cottoneyejoe]

"Whoop up on them southern boys" Next civil war, hes my target.

[Rodney Crosby]

I LOVE IT ,JESUS SAVES

[Tibor Hunyadi]

My future and my country pride south people!

[24footsoldier]

Too many Specialty units, not enough regulars

[Steve Crafter]

You know,i helped to make dixie.A little. *Wink*

[MrReded69]

I bet one of the main reasons the 1st Bullrun/Manassas is such a popular re-enactment is because of the incredible colorful variety in uniforms worn by both sides. Like the red and blue Indian Trade shirts worn by the Minnesota Volunteers or the pseudo-Minute Man outfits worn by some of Jackson's brigade.

[MrReded69]

Many of the actual era volunteers were European immigrants and adventurers, like the practically all German corps of the Union, the Irish Brigade and the Italian Bersiligari regiment,. So Europeans would fit right into a re-enactment!