What strategies were used in the Battle of Bull Run?

Answer 1

The Union lost the Battle of Bull Run. It used the strategy of having the three wings of its army attack at three totally different times in three different places. The Confederates could marshall their forces and defeat each wing when it attacked. If all three wings had attacked the Confederate lines at the same time instead of using a convoluted battle plan, the Union probably would have won and the Civil War might have ended with that battle.

Answer 2

The First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861 began when the Union forces advanced out of Washington. The Confederates pulled back south of the Bull Run river to wait for a time to fight. The Union commander choose to hold half of his force against the main Confederate position and send the other half around to his right (North) and attack them from the rear. This almost worked as the 15,000 Union army was only held back by 500 Confederates. This gave the Confederates time to set up a strong defensive position on Henry Hill.

So the Confederate strategy of the 1st Bull Run was to hold their line until the Union forces tired. Then they attacked the Union right flank and routed them from the field.

This strategy was typified by General Thomas Jackson holding his line in the midst of heavy enemy attacks. This earned him the name "Stonewall" Jackson.

Answer 3

Success for the Union at the first Battle of Bull Run depended on Union General Robert Paterson. He was located in the Shenandoah Valley and he had to ensure that Confederate troops under Confederate General Joseph Johnston could not link via rail to the Southern forces at Bull Run. Patterson's troops numbered 18,000 and Johnston's troops numbered 12,000. Patterson had to prevent the South from using the battle tactic called interior lines.