Decision Six: Spectators

• Before any bloody battles commenced, most assumed that the Civil War would consist of one significant battle.

• The Union authorities in Washington assured the populace that the Confederates were outnumbered, outclassed, and inferior in every way.

• A battle was planned only a few miles from Washington. This was anticipated as THE battle everyone was waiting for

• Confident that the Union would totally dominate the field, assured of safety, some civilians decided they wanted to be eyewitnesses to this major historical event

• Many packed blankets and picnics and walked out to Mannassas to be spectators of the Civil War

• Watch the beginning of this battle

DECISION: If you had lived in Washington in 1861, were guaranteed of the safety of the experience and the momentous occasion it would be, would you have joined your neighbors in walking out to be a spectator? Why or why not? Remember you have no privilege of hindsight.

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