What was the outcome of the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861?

The First Battle of Bull Run, fought on July 21, 1861, resulted in a decisive Confederate victory. This battle marked the first major engagement of the Civil War and demonstrated that the conflict would not be a short or easily won engagement for the Union forces, as many initially believed.

Confederate forces, under the command of General Pierre G.T. Beauregard and General Joseph E. Johnston, successfully repelled an attack by Union troops led by Brigadier General Irvin McDowell. The Union forces ultimately retreated in disorder back to Washington, D.C., which underscored the inadequacy of their initial preparations and strategies. The outcome shocked the North and led to a realization that the war would be longer and more brutal than expected, profoundly impacting military and political strategies going forward.

This battle set the stage for a protracted conflict, reinforcing the resolve of both sides and altering public perception of the war. The victory for the Confederacy boosted Southern morale and emboldened their cause, while the substantial Federal defeat prompted the Union leadership to reevaluate its military strategy in the subsequent campaigns.