Undisciplined Union Troops at First Battle of Bull Run

The First Battle of Bull Run (called the First Battle of Manassas by the South) was the first major land battle of the Civil War. Over 60,000 troops clashed on July 21, 1861, at Bull Run creek near Manassas, Virginia, resulting in a Confederate victory and the rout of the Union army. The adversaries first came into contact when skirmishing broke out on July 18, and those same inexperienced Union soldiers who retreated in utter panic three days later showed their lack of discipline even on that first day of skirmishing.

Though the Northern troops gained the upper hand during the July 18 skirmishing, their unruly behavior and fondness for burning and pillaging dismayed their commanding officer, General Irvin McDowell. One of the astonishing aspects of reading contemporary Civil War newspapers is discovering how much information these papers relayed to the public. For example, General McDowell’s official report of the July 18 skirmishing was printed by the Lowell Daily Citizen and News the very next day! (Note, at the end of the report, McDowell’s displeasure at the conduct of his troops.)

This article was printed by the Lowell Daily Citizen and News (Lowell, Massachusetts) on July 19, 1861:

The Advance toward Richmond

We continue to receive interesting news of the progress of our forces into the heart of Virginia…General McDowell’s official report made yesterday is as follows:

Fairfax Court House, July 18.
To Lieut. Col. E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General, Washington: The first division, under Gen. Tyler, is between Germantown and Centreville; the second division is in this place, just about to move forward to Centreville; the fifth division is at the crossing of the old Bradock road with the road from here to Fairfax Station, and is ordered forward to Centreville by the old Bradock road; Barry’s battery has just joined it. One of Heintzelman’s brigades (Colonel Wilcox’s) is at Fairfax Station. Heintzelman’s and his other brigade are below the station, but he has not reported to me since we have been here, and I have not been able to communicate with him. I think they are at Saugerties Station. The four men wounded yesterday belonged to Miles’ division, who had some slight skirmish in reaching their position. Each column encountered about the same obstructions, viz.: trees felled across the road, but the axemen cleared them in a few minutes.

There were extensive breastworks thrown up at this place, and some of them with embrasures resetted with sand bags. Extensive breastworks were also thrown up at Fairfax Railroad Station, and on the road leading to Saugerties. A great deal of work has been done by them, and the number and size of the camps show they have been here in great force. Their retreat therefore must have a damaging effect on them.

They left in such haste that they did not draw in their pickets, who came into one of our camps, thinking, as it occupied the same place, that it was their own. The obstructions to the railroad in the vicinity of the station, including the deep cut filled in with earth, &c., can be cleared in a few hours. The telegraph poles are up with the wires upon them. I look to having railroad and telegraph communication in a very short time.

Much flour, some arms, forage tents, camp equipage, &c., were abandoned by the rebels.

I am distressed to have to report excesses by our troops. The excitement of the men found vent in burning and pillaging, which, however, was soon checked. It distressed us all greatly. I go to Centreville in a few minutes.

Very respectfully,
Irving McDowell

The same paper reported the next day that General McDowell promptly took steps to rein in his undisciplined troops. This article was printed by the Lowell Daily Citizen and News on July 20, 1861:

This afternoon a general order was read to all the troops, prohibiting theft of every description, and enjoining respect for persons and property, and stating that the least penalty for violation will be incarceration in the Alexandria jail, and for crimes of magnitude the severest penalties known to military laws.

The order also states that we have invaded Virginia to restore persons to their lawful rights, and to secure their good will. Soldiers were not at any time to be judges of the acts of southern people, and to take upon themselves the office of awarding punishment would frustrate the designs of the government.

To this the troops acceded by clapping their hands and huzzaing for their commander.

Great pains have been taken by responsible men visiting the seat of war from Washington to impress upon the people that government will protect them in the enjoyment of their rights, and that this war is for the purpose of maintaining our nationality.

For more information, visit the Manassas Web site provided by the National Park Service.

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