What battle is recognized as the first significant engagement where the Confederates achieved victory, highlighting the war's challenges?

The Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas, is recognized as the first significant engagement in which the Confederates achieved a notable victory during the American Civil War. Fought on July 21, 1861, this battle occurred just a few months after the war began and illustrated both the intensity of the conflict and the challenges that lay ahead for both sides.

The Confederate victory at Bull Run highlighted the unpreparedness and lack of experience of the Union forces, who underestimated the resolve and ability of the Confederate troops. This encounter shattered the initial perception that the war would be short and swift, leading to a realization that it would require considerable time, resources, and strategic planning. Bull Run became a wake-up call for the North, emphasizing the need for better training and organization of Union troops as the war progressed.

This battle established Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson as a prominent military leader and boosted Southern morale while causing a significant downturn in Northern confidence. The implications of Bull Run set the stage for subsequent battles and strategies throughout the war.