Template:POTD/2010-07-21
A hachure map of Confederate Army positions for the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the American Civil War, which took place on July 21, 1861. Often called the First Battle of Manassas in the Southern United States, the Union expected to win easily, but their army under Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell was defeated and forced to retreat. Both sides were sobered by the violence and casualties of the battle, and they realized that the war would likely be much longer and bloodier than they had anticipated.Map: Unknown; Restoration: Lise Broer