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McDowell sends troops
McDowell sent the divisions of Hunter and Heintzelman (about 12,000 men) from Centreville at 2:30 a.m -
Artillery
At 5:15 a.m., Richardson's brigade fired a few artillery rounds across Mitchell's Ford on the Confederate -
Background
McDowell was harassed by impatient politicians and citizens in Washington, who wished to see a quick battlefield victory over the Confederate Army in northern Virginia. McDowell, however, was concerned about the untried nature of his army. -
The goal
The goal of the war was to make quick work of the confederates -
Confederates attack the union
Late in the afternoon, Confederate reinforcements including those arriving by rail from the Shenandoah Valley extended the Confederate line and succeeded in breaking the Union right flank. -
Union Retreats
The Federal retreat rapidly deteriorated as narrow bridges, overturned wagons, and heavy artillery fire added to the confusion. -
Period: to
Battle of Bullrun
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Lincoln realized the civil war would be a long war
By July 22, the shattered Union army reached the safety of Washington. The Battle of Bull Run convinced the Lincoln administration and the North that the Civil War would be a long and costly affair. -
McDowell was fired
McDowell was relieved of command of the Union army and replaced by Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan