c) Battle of Bull Run

The First Battle of Bull Run was the Civil War’s first major battle, occurring in July 1861 near Manassas, Virginia. This battle shattered the North’s hopes of a swift victory. Despite being relatively unprepared, Confederate forces, under the command of Generals Beauregard and Johnston, achieved a surprising victory against Union troops led by General McDowell. The battle demonstrated that the Civil War would be longer and more brutal than initially anticipated, significantly impacting public sentiment and military strategy on both sides.