First Battle of Bull Run.

Following the Secession of the Southern States, a march on Washington was inevitable and the two green armies met at a little place called Bull Run, some Generals having never fought a battle under such conditions. The relative veterans Brig Gen "SwaggerLee" Zels for the Rebels and Brig Gen Rob Whines where desiganated the first among equals. The Rebel side was boosted by the defection of Brig Gen "Turncoat" Mick who had been gazetted to take a Federal brigade but couldnt take up arms against his true State, while "Backwoods" Al filled his vacant Federal spot.

The Rebs set up first with the pre-battle plan being to push through the center/left  while refusing its right. However due to poor scouting the Federal were further to the left than anticipated. So it looked to be a classic race to see who could turn the others Right  first.

The battle started with the  Reb  Pudnuckans and Shirites pushing forward  on the Rebel Right , while the Federal  Rubes and Irish tardily moved on the refused ButtFork flank. The Kentuckans sent across support, unnecessary in the end as the Federal attack floundered in the face of accurate Reb musket fire. A timely Cavalry counter charge saw the Union Cavalry bested.

Meanwhile on the Rebel Right ...despite Gen Rob's Brigade seemingly strong defensive position (text book) ...a rousing "Rebel Yell" and co-ordinated charge saw the Rebs sweep all before them... the 32nd Caringbah even besting two Federal Regiments after emerging confused from the woods. Follow up momentum saw the Federal  "Hermans Germans" break and both the "Poncers" and "Dour Kraut" taking  some serious losses leading this flank to crumble......a rude initiation to American warfare for these recent immigrant based recruits.

With the Union left broken and the Confederate Left holding firm, the Federals retreated to protect their lines of communications ...Round 1 to  the Secessionists.

While Brig Gen Rob's outrage at the Rebel superiority choked the national papers over the next week, international reaction was predictable "Colonel cillian of the Irish guards sat in his desk in London and shook his head. "That's not even war they're playing at over there. just a couple of armed mobs chasing each other around,  playing cards..."