War Stories - The First Battle of Bull Run, Part 1: The Start of the War and the Union March to Bull Run

In April 1861, the American Civil War began when Confederate forces attacked Fort Sumter. With the war's commencement, both the North and South believed victory would be swift. The North's objective was to capture Richmond, the Confederate capital, and suppress the rebellion. The Union army defending Washington was led by Brigadier General Irvin McDowell, and approximately 35,000 troops marched towards Manassas, Virginia. Manassas was a crucial transportation hub where multiple railways converged, making it a vital point for the Confederacy to defend. The Confederate army, commanded by General P. G. T. Beauregard, established a defensive line along the Bull Run River. However, the Confederate forces were not initially concentrated in one place. The balance of the battle began to shift as General Joseph E. Johnston's troops, stationed in the Shenandoah Valley, moved to provide support. I'm a history major who loves military history. I'm going to try summarizing war stories I've learned from books and YouTube channels (like 'Tojeonsa' and 'Yeokjeon Dabang' - highly recommend!).