The actual battle of Bull run took place on July 21, 1861. Both commanders had similar strategies for the battle, each panned to attack to other's left flank. General Beauregard planned the attack for the south but his Army was so disorganized that most of his orders never reached the brigade commanders. Only two brigades, those of Longstreet and Jones, actually crossed Bull Run while the rest sat awaiting orders and their attack was soon stopped when the Union attacked on the other end of the battle field.
The Union opened the battle with the Union 1st Division, commanded by General McDowell, crossing Bull run at Stone Bridge at 5:15 a.m. However this was not the Union main attack. Its purpose was to attract the Confederate troops away from the main point of attack at Sudly Church. But the second attack Made by the Union 2nd Division commanded by Colonel A. E. Burnside came too late and so
Both sides received reinforcements and for a moment it appeared as if the Union would breakthrough but a Confederate brigade led by General E. Kirby Smith arrived and attacked the Union's right flank which halted the Union advance. The two side appeared to be deadlocked when a column of men was seen marching in the distance by Beauregard. As the men approached neither side could tell whether it was Union or Confederate until a slight breeze unfurled the flag and it was seen to be Colonel Jubal Early's Brigade. Hit with these fresh soldiers the union line fell back and then collapsed. The Confederates followed a short distance and fired a few rounds at the retreating soldiers upsetting a wagon and causing a hysterical flight of many visiting congressmen who had come to watch the battle dressed in their Sunday best. They never stopped until they reached Washington.
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