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| Monday June 10, 1861 |
Many consider the battle of Big Bethel the first land battle of the
war. Although a skirmish by later standards it is the first clash
between the two armies in Virginia. It causes great excitement
both North and South. Federal troops under the overall command
of Brigadier General Benjamin Butler and the immediate command
of Brigadier General Ebenezer Price clash with the Confederate
troops of Colonel John Bankhead McGruder and Colonel Daniel
Harvey Hill. The Federals have about 2,500 men and the
Confederate about 1,200. Both sides suffer casualties including
dead on both sides. The Federal troops retire and it is considered
a Southern victory.