First Battle of Bull Run

July 21, 1861 · Eastern Theater

Phases

1. 1Dawn — McDowell’s Flank MarchJuly 21, 1861 — 2:30 to 9:00 AM
2. 2Morning — Matthews HillJuly 21, 1861 — 9:30 AM to Noon
3. 3Afternoon — Stonewall on Henry HillJuly 21, 1861 — 1:00 to 4:00 PM
4. 4Evening — The Great SkedaddleJuly 21, 1861 — 4:00 PM to Midnight

July 21, 1861 — 2:30 to 9:00 AM

McDowell sends 13,000 men on a long night march to cross Bull Run at Sudley Springs, beyond the Confederate left, while Tyler demonstrates at the Stone Bridge. The raw troops take hours longer than planned, and Confederate signal officer E.P. Alexander — in the first use of wig-wag signals in combat — spots the dust: “Look out for your left, your position is turned.”

• ➤Hunter & Heintzelman — The flank march — crosses at Sudley Springs
• ➤Tyler’s Division — Demonstrates at the Stone Bridge
• ●Evans, then Bee and Bartow, wheel to face the flank attack
• ●Sudley Springs Ford
• ●Stone Bridge