Battle of Bull Run

"We had good organization, good men, but no cohesion, no real discipline, no respect for authority, no real knowledge of war." "The march [to Virginia] demonstrated little save the general laxity of discipline; for with all my person efforts I could not prevent the men from straggling for water, blackberries, or any thing on the way they fancied."

This battle could possibly have been avoided. General McDowell was not obligated to engage with the enemy. Taken into consideration that the men that enlisted were green to the arts of war, this course of action was not the wisest. At the fire of enemy artillery, some of the men scattered and could not be ordered back into position. This in itself could prove to be the downfall of your men in a battle.

In all of our confidence, we underestimated the determination and the strength of our enemy. There were several times when we should have charged in the confusion of the enemy forces. However, we were slow to react and lost those opportunities. General Jackson has proven to be a worthy adversary whom we should beware in the coming battles.

Prior to the battle I lost several of my men to artillery fire under the orders of General Tyler to engage the enemy. After suffering these casualties, we were ordered to fall back to camp. During the battle I was ordered to provide reinforcements to Colonel Hunter. In the entire battle I had a total of 192 casualties, 38 dead, 59 wounded, and 95 MIA. My regiment suffered the most loss among the New York regiments. I pray that future battles will not cost as many men but I know that this war will not be as easy as my compatriots think.

Source:
The Civil War Battlefield Guide edited by Frances H. Kennedy
Sherman: Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman