The Manassas campaign began shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in 1861. Twenty-four days after the firing on Fort Sumter, Lee ordered the fortification of Manassas Junction, and 7 days later Beauregard took command of these defenses. Meanwhile, the North clamored for a quick move to capture Richmond and end the war. Forced on by this popular pressure, McDowell launched his drive on July 16 with an army composed chiefly of 3-months volunteers. He planned to attack the Confederate forces at Manassas while Patterson prevented a Confederate Army, under Gen. J. E. Johnston, from leaving Winchester and reinforcing Beauregard. Patterson’s failure to do his part contributed heavily to McDowell’s defeat. Action began on July 18th, when a part of McDowell’s forces was repulsed at Blackburn’s Ford by Longstreet’s brigade. Finding the Confederates intrenched along Bull Run in about an 8-mile line, McDowell determined to turn their left flank at the Stone Bridge. On July 21, he made a feint attack on Evans’ men near the bridge and sent his main column around by Sudley Ford to strike the Confederate rear. Evans accidentally learned of the march and moved his small force to meet it. Reinforced by Bee and Bartow, he made a gallant stand on the hills north of the Warrenton Turnpike. The pressure of the Federal attack, however, was overwhelming. Burnside, Porter, and Heintzelman, later joined by Sherman, struck the small Confederate force and drove it back across the pike in disorder. [Illustration: _General Beauregard_] [Illustration: _General McDowell_] [Illustration: _General Jackson_] [Illustration: _General Pope_] Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, marching from Mitchell’s Ford to support Bee, Bartow, and Evans, reached Henry House Hill before noon. Deploying his valley regiments behind the eastern crest of the hill, Jackson awaited attack from the victorious Federal forces. Behind the Robinson House, 400 yards north, Bee was striving to rally his disorganized troops. Pointing to Jackson’s line, he shouted: “Look! There stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!” Bee’s men echoed the shout and formed on their colors. “Stonewall” Jackson had won his immortal name. McDowell threw portions of four brigades against Jackson’s position in a daring offensive. At the height of the attack Ricketts’ and Griffin’s Federal batteries were advanced to Henry House Hill directly facing Jackson’s line. The guns were captured and recaptured in confused fighting, but the arrival of additional Confederate troops from Winchester turned the tide of battle. The desperate Confederate defense was changed to an attack, which routed the Union Army and forced it back upon Washington. The Federal strength of the battle was 35,732, losses 2,708; Confederate strength 31,810, losses 1,982.