Speech: The First Battle Of Bull Run

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The First Battle of Bull Run

The first battle of bull run took place on July 21, 1861 near Manassas, Virginia. The leader of the union troops, General McDowell, encountered confederate troops near Bull Run Creek, led by P.G.T. Beauregard and Joseph Eggelston Johnston. McDowell spent two days trying to get around them. Union troops crossed Bull Run Creek and managed to drive back all of the confederate forces except one battalion, led by Thomas Jackson. He earned his nickname when one soldier yelled: There’s Jackson standing there like a stone wall! The Union and Confederate troops fought, but all the while, the confederates were receiving backup. Finally, the Union forces were forced to retreat, but they had to scatter because all the spectators
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military, but was in confederate territory. The confederates claimed it was theirs, but the union said it was theirs. President Lincoln told union general Robert Anderson to stay in the fort. Fort Sumter was attacked by confederates, but since the cannons were facing the sea the people in Fort Sumter had a hard time fighting back. The people in the fort lasted for 34 hours before surrendering to the confederates.

Second Battle of Bull Run

The Second Battle of Bull Run took place in August 1862. On day one, John Pope and “Stonewall” Jackson were tied up. On day two, there were heavy casualties on both sides. On day three, the Union lost, when the Confederates forced them to retreat. The Confederates had won for now.

Battle of Antietam

The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862 at Antietam Creek, Massachusetts. Union General McClellan had found Confederate General Robert E Lee’s battle plans, so he had the upper hand. The Union’s victory pushed back Robert E. Lee, and prevented them from moving further north.

Siege of
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The battle was the largest and bloodiest battle in american history with approximately 51,000 casualties. For the first two days, the Union troops, led by George Mead, were able to hold off the Confederates, led by Robert E. Lee and George Pickett. On the third day, George Pickett came up with a plan to charge the Union’s line of defense. The attack was dubbed “Pickett’s Charge.” During Pickett’s charge, some 15,000 Confederate soldiers raced up Cemetery ridge, but failed in their attack. After this, the confederates gave up the

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