Book Review: a Single Grand Victory--The First Campaign and Battle of First Manassas by Ethan Rafuse

When the Civil War began in the spring of 1861, there was a popular belief on both sides that the war would be over quickly and that it could be won by a victory in a single large scale battle. In his book A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas, Ethan S. Rafuse, an Associate Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas explores the reasons for this belief and describes the July 21^st, 1861 battle that quickly ended the illusion of a short war.

Rafuse details how, at the war's outset, cultural and regional differences and misconceptions led each side to believe it was superior to the other and that any armed conflict would show the other side the error of its ways. Both sides underestimated the resolve of the other. Although there had been several lesser actions in the Civil War prior to July 21^st 1861, this clash near Manassas, Virginia was the first time large armies from the two sides met in battle. (The battle was named First Manassas by the South and First Bull Run by the North. The Confederates tended to name a battle after the nearest town while the Federals named it after the nearest geographic physical feature, in this case, a creek called Bull Run. Another battle would be fought over the same ground in August 1862 and would be known as Second Manassas). The volunteer soldiers on both sides in the First Manassas Campaign had received limited training and in many cases lacked discipline, but were idealistic and eager to see action.

Rafuse describes the action and movements of the battle and provides analysis of the events and tactics employed. At first, the Federal troops successfully pushed back the Confederates, but the timely arrival of reinforcements, a solid defensive posture, and the launching of attacks at the right time eventually turned the tide for the south. The author assesses the performance and tactical decisions of the commanders at various levels, providing analysis of what worked and where mistakes were made. Many of the officers on both sides would go on to play prominent roles in the war. These included Thomas Jackson (who earned the nickname "Stonewall" at this battle; Joseph E. Johnston, William T. Sherman, Ambrose Burnside, and a host of others. Although they were unable to follow up and destroy the retreating Federal army, the South had still won a great victory. The South believed its victory on the battlefield at Manassas proved its superiority and that the North would see it was pointless to restore the union by force. But the North became more determined than ever, and the war would go on for four more years.

At 214 pages, the book is concise, yet comprehensive enough for the reader to gain a good understanding of the Civil War's first major battle where idealism met the grim reality of war with nearly 1,900 casualties for the South and 2,900 for the North. A Single Grand Victory is an excellent book for both readers who are unfamiliar with the battle as well as those who would like to refresh their knowledge of the First Manassas Campaign.