Why did the Conferderates not pursue the Federals once they defeated them at Bull Run?

Answer 1

Disorganized and equally tired. Before you can really chase a routed army you must be able to have supply lines that can sustain it. You also have the chance to run into a fresh army that was coming to support the other. Don't forget that many of these men had to walk great distances to end up fighting at the end of the day.

Answer 2

In a nutshell because, after the battle, their units were so exhausted and fallen in such an awful confusion that a council of war held the same evening between President Jefferson Davis, the Generals Johnston and Beauregard concluded that it was unwise and hazardous the pursuing of the defeated enemy.

Answer 3

Because the long fighting made their units so tired and disorganized, that the commanders on the field, Gen. Joseph Johnston and Beauregard preferred give up the pursuit of the defeated enemy.

Answer 4

In speaking about the First Battle of Bull Run, the Union forces were beaten and forced to make a hasty retreat back to Washington DC. Pursuit of the retreating Union army did not happen inasmuch that Confederate forces were exhausted. In addition, some believed that to due so would not be in line with the Confederate stance of fighting a defensive war. Attacking a fleeing Union army could be considered an offensive tactic.

Answer 5

After turning back the enemy advance, they did not have enough fresh troops in reserve to pursue them.