Their spirits bolstered by victory at the skirmish known as the Battle of Blackburn’s Ford, Confederate forces, anticipating a clash with U.S. Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell’s 35,000 troops, begin consolidating in preparation. Some troops arrive in the Manassas area by train, the first time in history for troops to be transported by train. Meanwhile, in…
Not all white Baptists of the South are enamored with the war. An anonymous editorial in Georgia Baptist’s Christian Index pleads with pastors to keep war and pulpit separate: “Brethren of the ministry, we earnestly exhort you not to let your minds be diverted from your legitimate business by the excitements of the day. The…
Today U.S. Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell leaves Washington with 35,000 troops, his departure marked by a cheering crowd. The size of McDowell’s army is the largest ever assembled in North America. Northern civilians are anxious that the Union army engage Confederate forces. Heading west, McDowell’s goal is to push Confederate forces from Manassas Junction and…