First major battle of American Civil War fought near Manassas, Virginia, resulting in Confederate victory 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 21 1861)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: '[1861] The First Battle of Bull Run'

(Sunday, July 21, 1861, 5:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The First Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the American Civil War, was fought today in Prince William County, Virginia, just north of the city of Manassas and about 30 miles west-southwest of Washington, D.C.


Video: 'First Manassas: Animated Battle Map'

The Union’s forces were slow in positioning themselves, allowing Confederate reinforcements time to arrive by rail. Each side had about 18,000 poorly trained and poorly led troops in their first battle. It was a Confederate victory, followed by a disorganized retreat of the Union forces.


Video: 'Battles of Manassas: The Civil War in Four Minutes'


Video: 'Lincoln PBS 1992 - Part 1' (July 21, 1861, at 35:33)