Civilians at Manassas

What actually happened? Many civilians chose to come out to Manassas as spectators. This was a bad decision. Not only were they mistaken about the superiority of the Union Army, they proved to be a liability to the soldiers as they got in their way during the Union retreat. 

The Union was simply unprepared for the determination of General Thomas Stonewall Jackson and his men. The First Battle of Bull Run was a disaster for the North, the spectators, and President Lincoln

Watch this History Channel summary of the event:

Did you decide to go out to watch? If not, was your decision better? Do you understand why the civilians in Washington made their choice?

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