Regiment size at first bull run

[wmfan]

This is absolutely fantastic. Your series of information was exactly what I was looking for to enable me to more accurately model First Bull Run. I very much appreciate your diligence, as I would not have known where to look . Thanks so much.

 

[Hannover]

Finally, Army of the Shenandoah for which we only have one figure stated in the O.R. of 8,334 for 'all arms'.
The number engaged compared to the brigade strengths are shown in the table below:

Commands​	Brigade strength​	Number engaged​	Notes​
Army of the Shenandoah​
Jackson	2,600​	2,676​	Includes artillerymen
Bartow	2,546​	1,281​	Includes artillerymen
Bee	2,790​	2,319​	Includes artillerymen
E.K. Smith	2,262​	1,782​	Includes artillerymen
Stuart [cavalry]	334​	404​	Includes artillerymen
	10,532​	8,462​	8,334 from Johnston's Report (all arms)

When I originally looked at the figure of 10,532 I wondered how over 2,000 men would need to be 'lost' in order to reach the published figure that Johnston gave of 8,334. However the figures do seem to match those reported.
The total for the Confederate Army engaged at First Bull Run therefore is 12,115 + 8,462 = 20,577.
This is more than the usually quoted figure of 18,000 for the Confederate Army but the difference is largely due to my inclusion of D.R. Jones' brigade whilst they are omitted from the 'Official Record'.
Questions that arise are:
1. Is this a further example of a Confederate Army being under represented in terms of numbers?
2. Why do historians not make a more concerted effort to find out the actual numbers involved in battles? Many books covering battles automatically include orders of battle but shy away from even giving estimates of number of combatants. Is this because it is quite time consuming or is there at least a greater need to analyse the figures that are the generally accepted numbers?

I think this point is more important than is realised. As for me, getting a better idea of numbers, automatically gives one an estimate of the frontage of the regiment and considering that flanking is such a crucial part of combat in this era, the movement of different regiments, brigades and even divisions requires an appreciation of size. This certainly impacts on how they interact when in combat and is so important when analysing what happened. I appreciate that historians have a need to concentrate on the human aspect with extensive use of personal accounts or recollections of persons involved in combat, but without an appreciation of numbers are we missing out on relevant information to understand what exactly did or could have happened during these battles?
This was also an era when smoke would quickly impact upon what could actually be seen by the combatants. Therefore what is often recorded is open to interpretation by simply asking the question could that actually be seen from that position on the field at that particular time? For me the best books at least attempt to cover these important questions.

Next I will cover the Union Army but first ask, does anyone know or may speculate as to why there is such a dearth of information in the O.R. on numbers of combatants in the Army of Northeastern Virginia?

 

[Hannover]

ARMY of NORTH-EASTERN VIRGINIA: Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell

FIRST DIVISION: Brig. Gen. Daniel Tyler
We have a figure of 5,323 men engaged from this division which refers to the 1st and 3rd Brigades as they were the only brigades involved in the battle. 2nd and 4th brigades did incur casualties but they were sustained in covering the retreat of McDowell's Army.

1st Brigade: Col. Erasmus D. Keyes [2,450]
This is the easiest brigade to compile figures for as Keyes in his report stated he had about 2,500 men in his brigade. He also gives the number in the 2nd Maine regiment.
2nd Maine: Col. C. D. Jameson [640 Keyes Report]
1st Connecticut: Col. George S. Burnham [575] not really fully engaged
2nd Connecticut: Col. Alfred H. Terry [625] not really fully engaged
3rd Connecticut: Col. J. L. Chatfield [600]

The attached artillery battery was not engaged at Bull Run as their term of service ended on 17th July and they basically refused to fight.
Company I, 8th New York State Militia (Varian's) Battery Light Artillery:
Capt. J.M.Varian
1st Section 2 x 6pdr smoothbores M1841
2nd Section 2 x 6pdr smoothbores M1841
3rd Section 2 x 6pdr smoothbores M1841

The six artillery pieces remained at the camp of the 4th Pennsylvania. Detachments of the 8th New York and 29th New York were assigned to these guns, under the command of Captain C. Bookwood, 29th New York, Company H, on 21 July, 1861. They would be known as Bookwood's Independent Light Artillery.

The involvement of 2nd Maine in the fighting can be judged by considering the casualty figures. Out of 223 casualties suffered by the brigade, 155 were in the 2nd Maine or 70%. In fact Keyes reported an even higher figure of 174 (78%).

 

[Hannover]

The 2nd brigade (Schenk's) and 4th brigade (Richardson's) were not engaged on 21st July and their recorded losses were inflicted in the retreat. We therefore come to Sherman's 3rd Brigade composed of four regiments and you would therefore think it would be relatively straight forward to determine its strength. However nobody recorded the strength of anything in the brigade, so we have to resort to a whole variety of ways to determine even the approximate numbers.
3rd Brigade : Col. William T. Sherman [3,201 engaged]
The regiments were:
13th New York: Col. Isaac F. Quinby [600]
This number comes from a regimental history. I have seen estimates higher than this [758] but I prefer to go with the regimental history.
69th New York State Militia: Col. Michael Corcoran (w&c) [c.930]
The regiment had a known strength of 1,050 on 23rd April 1861. They signed up on 9th May for 3 months service but there is no record of how many. The O.R. report for the regiment gives 1,000 men pfd, therefore an engaged strength of about 930 men. I have another record giving 826 but this seems low given the evidence.
79th New York: Col. James Cameron (k) [800 on arrival in Washington 4th June 1861, 736 engaged]
Lt-Col. S.M. Elliot
This is a large increase on its militia strength [c.300] but the roll call number on arrival in Washington corroborates the 736 figure.
2nd Wisconsin: Col. S. Park Coon [935 from roll call + k,w,m,c]
Lt-Col. H.W. Peck
Originally the regiment mustered 1,025 men. I have a newspaper reporting their arrival in the East on June 25th with total of 1,050, a roll call on 20th June in Harrisburg totals 1,039. The number engaged was probably smaller than this. A company roll call on 23rd July (after the battle) totals 780 men. If we add the numbers killed, wounded, missing and captured, a total of 155 men, we arrive at an engaged strength of 935. This seems a more realistic total for the number engaged.

These numbers seem reasonable as some reported Sherman's brigade to be one of the largest in the Army (perhaps the reason McDowell chose it) and here we have two regiments with close to 1,000 men each.
The total for the number engaged in the brigade therefore is 600 + 930 + 736 + 935 = 3,201.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

I don't know of specifics prior to the battle, but the regiments, being new, were rather full in the ranks, or the better part of 1,000 or more each. The month after the battle, Beauregard's return demonstrated a large average strength on the rolls for his regiments:

View attachment 516449

Excellent reply, @RedRover.

 

[Hannover]

I am not sure about the point you are making. I have gone through the reported figures and show they match up with the figures in the O.R. Take for example Army of the Shenandoah - 4 brigades, a total of 17 regiments (7 of which are Virginian, which you might assume are 'full strength' due to location) and 2 battalions. If there were 1,000 men in each regiment then you would have 17,000 plus say 500 for the two battalions, a total of 17,500.
Aggregate present for duty strength on 30th June 1861 reported in the O.R. is 10,010 infantry.
Even if we discard the two battalions, the pfd figure gives an average of 589 men per regiment.
If you are saying that every regiment contained 1,000 men then that is surely incorrect, the figures do not reflect this.
Did numbers increase after Manassas, almost certainly yes, as new regiments and recruits arrived in Virginia.
On the Union side, many men signed up for 3 months and left soon after First Manassas. 2nd Wisconsin was one of the regiments with almost a full compliment of 1,000 men which I have confirmed by referring to roll call numbers for each company, yet in less than 12 months time the number had fallen to below half (c.430 with some reports giving less than this).
The number engaged is generally around 93% of the pfd figure.

 

[Hannover]

To emphasise my previous point, I have here the figures from 8th New York Militia.
23rd to 25th April, 1861 - 1,045 enrolled for 3 months service.
Company figures on 7th May gives a total of 996. On 12th May we have a pfd figure reduced to 900.
By 20th May we have a pfd figure of 848 (with number possibly engaged being down to 788). After this date we have a note that the 'sick' had been left in Annapolis. This is already 197 down on the enlistment total after only 25 days of service, a reduction of slightly under 8 men per day. First Bull Run took place 87 days after enlistment and it is therefore likely that the number would be further reduced even as those that recover from illness may be left behind and have difficulty rejoining their unit.
Remember that around 67% of all deaths were due to illness rather than wounds suffered on the battlefield. Infectious diseases such as typhoid, tuberculosis, mumps, measles, and dysentery spread rapidly whilst in camp because of crowding, poor hygiene, lack of sanitary conditions and inadequate nutrition. There was also a lack of natural immunity to many childhood diseases which led to epidemics of measles, chickenpox, and pertussis all of which would incapacitate individuals and could even be lethal. This would have a more significant effect particularly at the start of the war. In addition, mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria and yellow fever caused acute and chronic disease.
So conditions in 1861 were significantly different from today where we might expect only a very minor reduction due to sickness in the months following their enlistment in the armed forces.

 

[Hannover]

There are two brigades that although were not fully engaged, made up the remainder of 1st Division.
The two brigades did suffer casualties (98 in 2nd Brigade, 80 in 4th Brigade) largely as a result of covering the retreat.
2nd Brigade: Brig. Gen. R.C. Schenck
not engaged – left in reserve at Stone Bridge [2,678]
Schenck's brigade contained only 3 regiments and 2 batteries.
2nd New York (State Militia): Col. G. W. B. Tomkins [790]
Interestingly Tomkins reported 60 casualties covering the retreat yet he also stated that a further 140 men were missing.
1st Ohio: Col. A. McD. McCook [668 on 17th June]
2nd Ohio: Col. L. Wilson [900]

Light Company E, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Capt. J. H. Carlisle [200]
1st Section 2 x 13pdr James Rifles
2nd Section 1 x 12pdr Field Howitzer M1841
1 x 6pdr smoothbore M1841
3rd Section 1 x 12pdr Field Howitzer M1841
2 x 6pdr smoothbores M1841

Light Company G, 1st U.S. Artillery: Second Lieut. P. C. Hains [120]
1st Section 2 x 20pdr Parrott Rifles
2nd Section 2 x 30pdr Parrott Rifles


4th Brigade: Col. I.B. Richardson - brigade not engaged [2,673]

Brethschneider's Light Battalion: Capt. R. Brethscneider
Temporarily organized from 40 men from each of the 4 regiments in the brigade. For simplicity I have not reduced the number in each regiment by 40 but put this here for information.

1st Massachusetts: Col. Robert Cowdin [621] (1,045 on enlistment)
2nd Michigan: Col. Isreal B. Richardson [609] (1,010 on enlistment)
Lt-Col. S. Larned
3rd Michigan: Col. Daniel McConnell [671] (1,050 on enlistment)
12th New York: Col. Ezra L. Walrath [592] (778 on enlistment)

Light Company M, Second U.S. Artillery: Brevet Major H. J. Hunt [120]
1st Section 2 x light 12pdr smoothbores M1857
2nd Section 2 x light 12pdr smoothbores M1857
Light Company G, First U.S. Artillery: First Lt. J. Edwards [60]
1st Section 2 x 20pdr Parrott Rifles

This is the most difficult brigade to obtain accurate information on. The numbers given seem very low but if you total the number on enlistment you obtain over 4,000 men in the brigade. The number recorded in the O.R. for 1st Division is 12,795.
We have so far: 1st Brigade of 2,450, 2nd Brigade of 2,678, 3rd Brigade of 3,201 in which we have omitted Ayres' battery [180] which did not cross Bull Run, and finally 4th Brigade of 2,673. This totals 11,182 that is about 1,600 short of 12,795.
We know that McDowell included two regiments that were not in the order of battle. They were 21st New York [830] and 25th New York [770] which total about 1,600 men.
So there are two alternatives and I leave it to you to decide which is correct or most likely. Either the New York regiments were omitted from the total and therefore Richardson's brigade numbered 4,000 men or you include the New York regiments in the divisional total and therefore the numbers in Richardson's brigade is reduced to around 600 men per regiment.

Another reason for believing that many regiments may have had around 600 men is the information on Keyes 1st Brigade.
Keyes stated his brigade of 4 regiments contained 2,450 men and he was experienced enough to say that this was a reliable number for the strength of his brigade. If you look at the enlistment figures for these 4 regiments however you get the following figures:
2nd Maine - 800 enlisted
1st Connecticut - 800 enlisted
2nd Connecticut - 850 enlisted
3rd Connecticut - 780 enlisted
A total of 3,230 but with only 2,450 present at First Bull Run (a reduction of 30%), what happened to the 780 missing men? This is evidence that a number of about 800 men in a regiment on enrolment could be reduced to around 600 by the time of the battle. Therefore it seems also reasonable that some 1,000 men regiments could be reduced to around 700-800 men.

 

[Stryker65]

If there isn't a forum host for this forum, @Hannover should definitely get it.

 

[Hannover]

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind comments.

Thought we would next look at the Union 5th Division which was not directly involved in the fighting but the first brigade under Colonel Louis Blenker suffered some casualties but recorded 96 missing when covering the retreat!
FIFTH DIVISION: Col. Dixon S. Miles
We have a pfd number from the O.R. for the whole division of 6,173.
1st Brigade: Col. Louis Blenker
8th New York (Volunteers): Col. Louis Blenker [700] [780 enrolled]
Lt-Col. Julius Stahel [men lost to Varian's battery]
29th New York: Col. A. von Steinwehr [661] [780 enrolled, 745 reported on 4th June]
39th New York: Col. F. G. D'Utassy [between 679 and 879] [950 enrolled]
aka 'Garibaldi Guard' (around 50 members mutinied but later returned to the regiment)
27th Pennsylvania: Col. Max Einstein [822] [1,054 enrolled but one company (110) lost permanently therefore 944]
Company F (110 strong) was posted to the Washington Arsenal were it remained until mustered out.

Artillery attached to 1st Brigade.
Battery A, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Capt. J. C. Tidball [90 on 18th July]
1st Section 2 x 6pdr Smoothbores M1841
2nd Section 2 x 12pdr Field Howitzers M1841

Bookwood's (Varian's) New York Battery: Capt. C. Bookwood [155]
3 Sections 6 x 6pdr Smoothbores M1841
Some report that the battery was manned by members of 8th and 29th New York.

2nd Brigade: Col. Thomas A. Davies
16th New York: Lt-Col. S. Marsh [617] [780 enrolled yet a figure of 840 was reported on 25th June]
18th New York: Col. W.A. Jackson [681] [780 enrolled, 700 men reported on 21st June]
31st New York: Col. C.E. Pratt [681] [786 enrolled yet 802 newspaper reported leaving New York]
32nd New York: Col. R. Matheson [657] [776 enrolled]

Artillery attached to 2nd Brigade:
Company G, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Lt. Oliver D. Greene [100]
4 x 10pdr Parrott Rifles, M1861

First of all let us consider the number enrolled in the 8 regiments of the division (artillery omitted). We obtain 3,455 (1st Brigade) + 3,122 (2nd Brigade) = 6,577. Dividing this by the 8 regiments present we obtain an average of 822 men per regiment.
The pfd figure is 6,173, so we subtract 345 for artillery staff means we have 5,828 divided by 8 to give an average of 729 men per regiment. Comparing averages is reasonable here as 7 of the 8 regiments were from New York. The first point is that this shows the pfd figure is already about 100 men per regiment down on the enrolled figure. So where we have seen large discrepancies between enrolled and pfd figures for the first engagement is not unusual. Can we account for some of these reductions?

First of all I went back to the original enrolment documents for each regiment. New York regiments were fairly unform at this time of the war and enrolled 780 men in each regiment. Very occasionally we have a regiment that does not conform to this number, our example here being 39th New York with 950 enrolled (I counted every one, so reports of 1,000 plus I do not know what they are based on). What the 39th New York did have however was a mutiny involving about 50 men. They were arrested and eventually returned to the regiment but I have no date as to when that happened. If post 21st July this accounts for some of their loss. As you can see I have two numbers recorded 679 and 879, I have gone with the higher 879 as I think in the first number the 8 has been incorrectly recorded as a 6.

The 8th New York lost a whole company (about 80 men) to Varian's battery prior to Bull Run. Sometimes it has been reported that only 40 men were transferred, yet another source gives a whole company being transferred. Members of 29th New York are also reported as manning part of the battery but I can only find a reference for men from 8th New York. The number of men in Varian's battery is known - 155. Did both of these regiments contribute to manning the battery? Notice for 29th New York, the men enrolled in May 1861 (different dates for each company) 780, had already been reduced by 35 on 4th June.

27th Pennsylvania was a large regiment, on enrolment 1,054, however one company was transferred to the Washington Arsenal were it served for the whole duration of its service, therefore the starting figure should be 944. I know there is a further reduction of around 120 to reach the figure I have but it seems more reasonable than from the 1,054 enrolment number.

For two of the regiments of the 2nd Brigade, numbers were reported (in newspapers) that are larger than the number on the muster roll. Are these estimates rather than actual figures, or figures reported to them? New York regiments were very uniform at this period of the war generally enlisting 780 men even when some companies were slightly under strength other companies enrolled more so that the regiments all contained in total around 780 men.

What do these numbers reveal?
1st Brigade: 3,062 + 245 artillerymen = 3,307
2nd Brigade: 2,636 + 100 artillerymen = 2,736
This gives a total of 6,043 which is only 130 short of the pfd figure. Some of this shortfall may be due to the fact that some of the regimental totals may not be pfd figures. Yet only 130 short across 8 regiments means that on average we are only 16 men short per regiment.

There is again a difference between pfd figures for July 1861 and the enrolment numbers for each regiment. Some of the differences may be similar to the reasons that I have given for regiments within the 5th Division. What I have read as well whilst reconsidering these numbers is that many of the men that enrolled were later deemed 'unfit for service' and therefore would be removed from the regiment. This adds another possible reason for the reduction in numbers prior to the battle of First Manassas.

 

[cheesydn]

Back in 1999, while working as Garbage worker crew member, I found 3 books on Lee' s Lieutenant. I couldn't believe someone threw them away. You know the old saying "everybody trash is somebody treasure". This book has great story on the 1st Bull Run on the confederate and Union side. Showing had Generals McDowell, Johnston and Beauregard moved their armies and how Stonewall Jackson got his name, which he did approved, but gave to the men as the "Stonewall Brigade".

 

[Hannover]

As an aside I thought if I could look at the individual records of 3 companies in a New Jersey Regiment who were enrolled in May/June 1861. I picked the companies at random, which came to a total of 308 enlistments. I only considered the time up to 21st July and what I found was a little surprising and perhaps gives another reason why the numbers involved in the battle are smaller than the enrolment numbers. Out of 308 individuals in the three different companies, 2 resigned, 17 were discharged, 14 deserted and 2 died.
That is a total loss of 35 out of 308 men or 11.2%. If this is representative of the army at this time, it certainly goes some way to accounting for the drop in regimental numbers that occurred prior to First Bull Run.

 

[Hannover]

Asked Google what percentage of a regiment would be ill at any one time, this was the reply:
'During the American Civil War, a significant portion of a regiment, often around 40%, could be ill and unavailable for duty at any given time. This was due to a combination of factors, including disease, desertion, and detachment for other duties. While regiments started with around 1,000 men, they often mustered only 600-700 after a few months due to these factors'.

 

[Hannover]

Next up is the Reserve 4th Division included in the order of battle. Unlike the 5th Division, the 4th was not engaged at all and suffered no casualties.
FOURTH (RESERVE) DIVISION: Brig. Gen. Theodore Runyon [5,448 pfd]
Brigadier General T Runyon commanded all troops not actually sent to the front, some thirteen regiments in total.

1st Brigade: Col. A.J. Johnson NOT ENGAGED [2,614]
1st New Jersey State Militia: Col. A. J. Johnson [598] (774 enrolled - 2 = 772)
2nd New Jersey State Militia: Col. H. M. Baker [627] (774 enrolled – 22 = 752)
3rd New Jersey State Militia: Col. W. Napton [663] (790 enrolled– 35 = 755)
4th New Jersey State Militia: Col. M. Miller Jr. [726] (783 enrolled – 17 = 766)

As the Militia regiments were only enrolled for a term of 3 months, I was able to look at the 'Recapitulation' Table for each regiment to identify the numbers lost due to being discharged, transferred out, deserted and 'not accounted for'. When this is considered the number enlisted, 3,121 drops to 3,045, a fall of 76 (2% drop) quite large considering it was only a 3 month period.

2nd Brigade: Col. Leopold Von Gilsa NOT ENGAGED [2,520]
1st New Jersey Volunteers: Col. W.R. Montgomery [576] (1,034 enrolled)
2nd New Jersey Volunteers: Col. G.W. McLean [620] (1,044 enrolled)
3rd New Jersey Volunteers: Col. G.W. Taylor [643] (1,051 enrolled)
41st New York: Col. L. Von Gilsa [681] (1,041 enrolled)

The 'Recapitulation' Tables for New Jersey regiments were less useful here as they cover the whole period of the war. One thing I did find however after counting all those mustered in, was the number was generally within a few of the often recorded numbers. This was true apart from 3rd New Jersey which I counted 50 more!

The total enrolled for both brigades is therefore 3,121 + 4,170 = 7,291.
So there is a large difference between the number enrolled and the pfd figure:
7,291 – 5,448 = 1,843 over budget equivalent to 230 per regiment in the division!
The pfd figure actually only gives an average strength of only 680 men per regiment.

The numbers I have given for each regiment give a total for each brigade of: 2,614 + 2,520 = 5,134 for the division.
With respect to the pfd figure we obtain 5,448 (pfd) – 5,134 = 314 missing
314 missing to match the pfd total does seem a lot but is actually only a difference of about 39 men per regiment.

When you consider comparing the pfd total to the number enlisted gives an average difference of 230 missing for each regiment, I think we have a reasonable estimate for each regiment within each brigade and therefore the division as a whole.

When you look back over all of the brigades we have considered, the numbers for a 4 regiment brigade are around 2,400 to 2,800 meaning that regiments in the brigade are averaging only 600 to 700 men, quite far removed from the 780 to 1,000 men mustered into the regiments. So there is a uniformity around these figures.

A further reason for thinking that the numbers present at Bull Run are lower than we might expect is to consider the casualties inflicted during the battle. Although considered shocking at the time, the number of casualties was very light when you compare them to later battles. When you add in the length of the battle, the casualty rate per hour was substantially lower than you might expect even given the fact that many taking part were using smoothbore muskets, were unfamiliar with the loading sequences and were experiencing battle for the first time.
Finally also consider the range at which regiments opened fire and the number of musket balls that were fired during the battle.
You have to say that the casualty rate was remarkably low for supposedly 1,000 men regiments firing at each other.

Next we come to the 2nd and 3rd Divisions which I am going to treat together as there seems some confusion in the O.R. record.

 

[Hannover]

The numbers in the O.R. 2nd Division has a reported total of 2,485. This has to be questioned especially when you consider that the division consisted of 9 regiments. This would give an average strength of a mere 276 men per regiment. The O.R. states that the division had 12 guns so this cannot be a total for a single brigade from the division (6 guns in each brigade). This number is continually reported without question (it is given in Darrell Collins book on the Army of the Potomac who gives it as the total for the division and then lists the 9 regiments within the division!) yet it simply does not make sense.
The 3rd Division total of 9,062 is equally contentious as with 10 regiments engaged gives an average of 906 men per regiment. We have already seen that maintaining 1,000 men regiments prior to the battle is also unlikely. However the number of artillery pieces given with these figures is the number present in both divisions added together. So I am proposing that we combine both of these totals to obtain a combined strength for both divisions of 11,547.

SECOND DIVISION: Brig. Gen. David Hunter (w)
Col. Andrew Porter
1st Brigade: Col. Andrew Porter
The most common figure given for this brigade is circa 3,000 men. So this already makes nonsense of the 2,485 figure stated in O.R.
When you consider the number of reported casualties: 86k, 177w, 201m for a total of 464 or around 15%.
8th New York (Militia): Col. G. Lyons [698]
I have several reported figures for this regiment 25th April 1,045, 12th May 900, 20th May 848 with a note that 'all of the sick' were left at Annapolis.
14th New York (Brooklyn): Col. Alfred M. Wood (w) [661] (780 on 18th May)
Lt-Col. Edward B. Fowler
27th New York: Col. Henry W. Slocum (w) [710] (855 on enlistment)
Maj. Joseph J. Bartlett
Battalion U.S. Infantry: Maj. G. Sykes [427]
Battalion U.S. Marines: Maj. J. G. Reynolds [353 pfd, 324 engaged]
The battalion was nearly totally new recruits that were only given 3 days training prior to battle!
Attached artillery
Light Company D, 5th U.S. Artillery: Capt. C. Griffin [120]
1st Section 2 x 10pdr Parrott Rifles M1861
2nd Section 2 x 10pdr Parrott Rifles M1861
3rd Section 2 x 12pdr Field Howitzer M1841

Adding the figures I have given means a total for the brigade of 2,969, fairly close to the estimate of circa 3,000.

2nd Brigade: Col. Ambrose E. Burnside
2nd New Hampshire: Col. Gilman Marston [619] (1,046 enlisted)
Interestingly I think Company B was armed with breech loading carbines.
1st Rhode Island: Col. A. E. Burnside [682] (1,104 enlisted)
2nd Rhode Island: Col. John Stanton Slocum (k) [714] (1,025 enlisted, falls to 824 by June, reports state 700-800 engaged)
71st New York: Col. H. P. Martin [643] (690 enlisted)
Company I manned 2 x 12pdr Dahlgren Boat howitzers. They deployed to the left of Reynold's battery on Matthew's Hill but are not included in the gun totals in the O.R.

Attached artillery
2nd Rhode Island Light Artillery: Capt. W. Reynolds [120]
1st Section 2 x 13pdr James Rifles
2nd Section 2 x 13pdr James Rifles
3rd Section 2 x 13pdr James Rifles

This gives a total of 2,778 men for this brigade.
The total for the 2nd Division is therefore 5,747.

 

[cheesydn]

Hannover. I copy every bit of your information, more of what I have found, thanks. By the way, where did you find all this good stuff for the 1st Manassas/Bull Run info?

 

[Hannover]

The information comes from a wide variety of sources from dare I say many, many years. I started in my teens but if there is anyone to blame, I would point the finger at Airfix, who in the 1960s released their 20mm plastic figures of Confederate and Union Infantry. My schoolfriends and I started wargaming in a huge church hall refighting many of the major civil war battles.
I started gathering information from various books, regimental histories, newspapers etc. but in the early days did not always reference where I got it from. I spent many hours in the fantastic Picton Library in Liverpool, a superb building with incredible staff who helped me in my search for relevant data. As Liverpool itself played an important role in the civil war, they had an extensive range of books, many written by the generals themselves, many incredible books with large coloured foldout maps including the Official Records Atlas. I was hooked and have remained so since those days, gathering over time my own library of civil war books.
It was only much later when I traced my ancestors did I find that 4 members of my family fought at Waterloo in the Kings German Legion. Further members of my family fought and died in the Austro-Prussian War 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War 1870. So you could say military matters may be in my genes!
It was when I was fortunate to visit Gettysburg and noticed the markers present showing the frontages of regiments did I start thinking of applying the idea of unit frontage to determine the approximate strength of regiments and brigades, work that I presented here on the Antietam forum. As both sides used basically the same drill books we have a good idea about unit frontages and the number of combatants that take up that space.
This technique really could not be applied to Bull Run as the fighting produced a completely chaotic battle, to such an extent that we are still unsure and will remain so about some events in the battle itself.

As an aside, some people have already contacted me asking whether I could do a similar orders of battle for Second Manassas! Perhaps I need to spend some time in a darkened room before committing myself to this. But I can appreciate why people have asked as the amount of information available is very limited. I do have a copy of Hennessey's original report on Second Manassas that has some extra data that he did not put into his excellent book 'Return to Bull Run'. I also have (I think it was Leon Tenney) who produced some excellent work on the Peninsula Campaign, Cedar Mountain, Brawner's Farm, Thoroughfare Gap and Second Manassas I have done some work myself on casualties and artillery batteries as Second Manassas leads into Antietam.
So if there is enough interest I will start a new topic in the near future.

 

[cheesydn]

In a matter of days the great battle of Manassas/Bull Run will be celebrating it 164 years anniversary, and we all know, history is still embedded in past of wanting to know more of want our ancestors thought and feel. Adding for me, I have no known ancestor in that, including the 2nd battle too, hoping some day I could visit Virginia and visit the battleground.
Dan

 

[Hannover]

Finally we have the 3rd Division.
THIRD DIVISION: Col. S. P. Heintzelman (w) [7,630 with 6,900 engaged]
1st Brigade: Col. W. B. Franklin [3,016 with 2,209 engaged]
5th Massachusetts: Col. Samuel C. Lawrence(w) [I have two very close numbers 606 and 603] (880 enlisted)
11th Massachusetts: Col. George Clark Jr. [629] (721 enlisted)
1st Minnesota: Col. Willis A. Gorman [874] (909 enlisted)
4th Pennsylvania: Col. J.F. Hartranft [807]
The 4th Pennsylvania Infantry is listed in many orders of battle. It was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel E Schall, and was ordered to Alexandria, Alexandria County, Virginia, on the morning of 21 July, 1861. The regiment refused to advance on July 21, claiming its enlistments had expired. The regimental commander Col. Hartranft joined the brigade staff.
Also listed in many OoBs is
5th Pennsylvania: Col. R.P. McDowell but it remained on duty at Alexandria so did not take any part in the battle. I have therefore omitted these from the overall total. Therefore the only difference between the overall strength and number engaged is the 807 of 4th Pennsylvania.
Attached Artillery
Light Company I, 1st U.S. Artillery : Capt. J.B. Ricketts (w&c) [100]
1st Section 2 x 10pdr Parrott Rifles M1861
2nd Section 2 x 10pdr Parrott Rifles M1861
3rd Section 2 x 10pdr Parrott Rifles M1861
All 6 of these10pdr Parrotts were captured by the Confederates on Henry Hill.

2nd Brigade: Col. O. B. Willcox (w) [2,655 with 1,925 engaged]
Col. John Henry Hobart Ward
11th New York (Fire Zouaves): Col. N.L. Farnham [723] (1,021 enrolled)
The number enrolled is often quoted as 1,157 but there are only 1,021 on the muster roll!

38th New York: Col. John H.H. Ward [650] (a variety of reported numbers: 624 May, 790 early June 772 late June)
Lt-Col. A. Farnsworth
1st Michigan: Col. Orlando B. Willcox [472] (780 enrolled)
Maj. Alonzo F. Bidwell
4th Michigan: Col. D.A. Woodbury [730] not engaged (1,140 enlisted)
The original 1,140 were uniformed in grey jackets, pants and fatigue caps (May 1861).
Six companies of the 4th Michigan Infantry were stationed at Fairfax Courthouse, Fairfax County, Virginia, and four companies at Fairfax Station, Fairfax County, Virginia, in the morning on 21 July, 1861.
Attached Artillery
Light Company D, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Capt. Richard Arnold [70]
1st Section 2 x 6pdr smoothbores M1841
2nd Section 2 x 13pdr James Rifles

3rd Brigade: Col. O. O. Howard [2,776]
3rd Maine: Col. Oliver Otis Howard [708] (1,010 enrolled)
Lt-Col. I.N. Tucker (not present)
Maj. Henry G. Staples
4th Maine: Col. Hiram G. Berry [731] (you can choose from 1,150, 1,105, 1,065 enrolled)
5th Maine: Col. Mark H. Dunnell [649] (1,000 enrolled)
2nd Vermont: Col. Henry Whiting [688] (950 enrolled)

These figures give a total of 6,900 engaged for 3rd Division, that is discounting the regiments that were left in Alexandria and Fairfax (4th and 5th Pennsylvania and the 4th Michigan).

That gives us 5,747 of 2nd Division and 6,900 of 3rd Division, a combined strength of 12,647. This is 1,100 more than the original proposed 11,547 which would be equivalent of having over 60 men fewer in the 17 full regiments in the two divisions.
However McDowell reported the aggregate totals for these divisions, again an improbable 2,648 for 2nd Division and 9,777 for 3rd Division. This totals 12,425 and gets us to within 222 of the total (still overbudget). So although these numbers for each regiment at first appear too low, there is every likelihood that the number of men engaged was even lower!

McDowell reported that he crossed Bull Run with just over 18,000 men.
The figures I have presented give a grand total of 5,651 + 5,747 + 6,900 = 18,298
i.e. 1st Division (1st and 3rd Brigades) + 2nd Division (1st and 2nd Brigades) + 3rd Division (all 3 brigades).

Finally I hope you have enjoyed reading these posts and I hope it may influence your ideas about how the battle of First Bull Run was fought. The numbers that rushed to the colours of both armies brought huge problems as neither side was equipped to handle the clothing, arming and training of such large numbers. The armament that each side carried into that first engagement must have been a logistical nightmare with a vast variety of different weapons of different makes, calibres and firing mechanisms. Poor sanitary conditions alongside the large numbers in close contact with each other, probably for the first time in their lives, were the perfect conditions for the spread of illness and infection. This must be a major contributing factor for the large difference between the numbers mustered into the regiment and the numbers they took into their first engagement. Other factors were also at work as many were away from their homes for the first time, homesickness must have been one of the main factors leading to some of them leaving the regiment. I was also surprised at the number of individuals that were released being deemed 'unfit for service'.
The lack of training resulted in many of the fired volleys probably being fired too high for when you consider the number of infantry muskets/rifles and artillery rounds fired, the casualty rate per rounds fired must be probably the lowest in the war. Whilst many were armed with smoothbore muskets and cannon, Napoleonic battles showed that these weapons were capable of inflicting terrible carnage at close range. The casualty rate, whilst shocking for many at the time, is yet another reason why I believe the numbers in each regiment must have been lower than the enrolled numbers.
Command and control was difficult as many commanders had not experienced these large numbers before. Command over regiments containing 600 to 800 men for the first time would be just as difficult as if there had been 1,000 men sized regiments so I think using this as a reason for the lack of control is superfluous.
Finally with the Confederates largely being on the defensive at First Bull Run, it certainly gave them an advantage in terms of their command and control and was perhaps a contributing factor to their victory. McDowell certainly produced a reasonable if over ambitious plan of attack but it would not be the last time that a good plan came apart in its execution.

 

[14NYSM]

I seem to recall that in "Battles and Leaders of the War" they sometimes had charts with the strengths at some battles - plus the casualaties.