On July 21, 1861, Union and Confederate armies clashed near Manassas Junction, Virginia. Also known as the Battle of Manassas, it marked the first major land battle of the American Civil War. 35,000 Union troops marched down form Washington, D.C. to strike a Confederate force of 20,000 along a small river known as Bull Run. After fighting on the defensive for most of the day, the rebels broke through the Union right flank, sending the Federals into a chaotic retreat towards Washington. Campers explore the battle through discussions and historical simulations using information from maps, timelines, and museum visits. They create dioramas and fight battles with miniature soldiers, as well as engage in group-strategy games using large geographical maps. Fictional and nonfiction accounts, graphic novels, reference books, and related films and documentaries give campers a grounding in the period’s history.
