Bull Runnings
A Journal of the Digitization of a Civil War Battle
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Harry SmeltzerDulce bellum inexpertis
“I am sending you these little incidents as I hear them well authenticated. They form, to the friends of the parties, part of the history of the glorious 21st. More anon.”
About
Hello! I’m Harry Smeltzer and welcome to Bull Runnings, where you'll find my digital history project on the First Battle of Bull Run which is organized under the Bull Run Resources section. I'll also post my thoughts on the processes behind the project and commentary on the campaign, but pretty much all things Civil War are fair game. You'll only find musings on my “real job” or my personal life when they relate to this project. My mother always told me "never discuss politics or religion in mixed company”, and that's sound advice where current events are concerned.
The Project
This site is more than a blog. Bull Runnings also hosts digitized material pertaining to First Bull Run. In the Bull Run Resources link in the masthead and also listed below are links to Orders of Battle, After Action Reports, Official Correspondence, Biographical Sketches, Diaries, Letters, Memoirs, Newspaper Accounts and much, much more. Take some time to surf through the material. This is a work in process with no end in sight, so check back often!
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- Steven J Reilly on Interview: Murray, “An Ornament to His Country”
- Photography Focus: Rare Images of an Irish American Family at War – Irish in the American Civil War on Pvt. Thomas D. Norris, Co. A, 69th NYSM, On the Battle
- Harry Smeltzer on Central Ohio Civil War Roundtable, 4/10/2024
- Savas Beatie on Central Ohio Civil War Roundtable, 4/10/2024
- Rare Images of an Irish American Family at War – Irish in the American Civil War - National Partisan on Pvt. Thomas D. Norris, Co. A, 69th NYSM, On the Battle
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Bull Runnings 
OK, at first glance, while the author’s take on McDowell’s plan is not quite conventional, it’s not quite as “out there” as mine. I will say that, like “flank” and “turn,” I do not believe that the words “demonstrate” and “attack” are interchangeable.
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Really looking forward to reading this one. The detail seems great.
Your thoughts on it will be interesting to read.
Chris
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I’m looking forward to it too, Chris. Have to finish “Corps Commanders in Blue” first, though.
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Harry: I just received both, but won’t be able to get to either for awhile. Your thoughts here would be welcome when you’re done.
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Reblogged this on Lenora's Culture Center and Foray into History.
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Just received my copy (finally). Have to say so far, really impressed. I like it. I think it is some of the best work that I have seen Longacre do.
Chris
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Keep us posted, Chris.
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Just past the 2/3 mark and the battle itself if finally beginning. Where are you at, Harry?
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I have yet to begin, Drew. Feel free to leave any thoughts here, though.
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[…] I crack open Edward Longacre’s new book on First Bull Run, I think I may provide a kind of running commentary. I don’t know if that will be daily, […]
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Really enjoying the read! Only a few errors with the troop designations which is a shame but otherwise a very detailed overview of the Manassas campaign.
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For those of you who don’t know Jonathan has a great site with First Bull Run Orders of Battle. The most detailed I know. Click on his name to visit http://www.firstbullrun.co.uk.
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I agree. Excellent book. Enjoying my reading so far.
He didn’t stumble in the naming of Sherman’s battery. Nice, fair discussion on Stonewall and his name. Glad he doesn’t go out of his way to bash Beauregard and McDowell.
Great line about Joseph Johnston (which I thought was a sort of compliment) about not occupying a piece of ground without thoughts of how he was going to retreat from it.
Chris
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Thanks Harry!
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