A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas

by Ethan S. Rafuse

More than 800 men lost their lives and 2,700 were wounded. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earned his legendary nickname "Stonewall" here as fellow Confederate General Barnard Bee, later fatally wounded in the battle, shouted, "Yonder stands Jackson like a stone wall!" Both the North and the South believed that a single victory in this first major battle would decide the war before it barely started. Yet the first battle of Manassas, or Bull Run, has not received nearly the same attention as the other major clashes of the Civil War. A Single Grand Victory is a highly readable, concise, comprehensive narrative by Ethan S. Rafuse, professor of history at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Rafuse worked as a park ranger at Bull Run, where he gained great familiarity with the site and the literature on this battle. His new book incorporates insights offered in recent scholarship on Civil War military, political, and cultural history. The author describes the factors that led President Abraham Lincoln to order an offensive against Confederates at Manassas Junction at a time when his most prominent military men advised against it. The war policies of both the Union and Confederate sides are explained. Rafuse offers descriptions and analysis of the individuals involved and the circumstances that influenced the manner in which the campaign was conducted. He covers the critical events and operational and tactical decisions that shaped the campaign's course and outcome. In addition, A Single Grand Victory provides insights into American life in the nineteenth century by examining what motivated men to fight in 1861 and describing what led both North and South to expect the war would be a short one. Southerners had anticipated that one victory like Bull Run would persuade the North to abandon the effort to restore the Union by force. Northerners believed support for the Confederate rebellion was so shallow that one battle would end the war. Civil War buffs will enjoy this

Genres: History, American History

226 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Sean Chick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rafuse’s short book is both a great introduction to the campaign and an intelligent assessment of how the battle was planned and fought. Rafuse’s greatest talent is his ability to understand why generals do what they do and explain not just the mistakes made but why these mistakes occurred without being condescending. He offers the best take yet on Beauregard and McDowell and their part in the battle.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very concise summary of not only the battle but the state of the war going into the campaign. Short chapters thats neatly wrap up what are otherwise interrelated portions of the battle. Loses a bit of steam towards the end and could use a few more maps - but if you're interested in having a solid undestanding of the causes of the Battle and the major moments within, this is an excellent starting point.

[Bill Lenoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good narrative of the run up to and the fighting during the first battle of Bull Run. I also thought the analysis of how the battle was conducted provided great insight. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in the American Civil War.