We recapped the type of war the North and South had to fight in the Civil War and Ben was surprised to learn that both armies consisted mostly of inexperienced volunteers who signed up for only 90 days of fighting. Ben commented on the reality that the civil war pitted countrymen against one another. We then read about the first battle of Bull Run. We learned how General Stonewall Jackson who got the name "Stonewall" for refusing to move when attacked by Union forces. Both the North and the South learned that the war would be more difficult and dangerous than expected. We read about the new military technology that also made it more dangerous. We learned the strategies of historical figures such as George McClellan and Ulysses S. Grant and learned that Lincoln did not like General McClellan because he was too hesitant to attack Confederate forces whereas Union forces in the West were gaining ground and seizing control over trade and supply routes thanks to the leadership of Ulysses S. Grant. We finished today's session reading about additional battles fought, including the Battle of Shiloh and the Second battle of Bull Run and shares thoughts and opinions about the content discussed.