The Early Morning of War: Bull Run, 1861 Volume 46

The Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, marked a pivotal moment in the Civil War, shattering the Union's hopes for a swift victory. The fierce counterattack by Confederate forces revealed the conflict's potential for prolonged and costly warfare. This battle not only set the tone for the subsequent four years of intense fighting but also introduced key military leaders, innovative tactics, and weaponry that would shape American warfare well into the twentieth century, altering the nation's political, social, and economic landscape.