Abstract

This study examines General Beauregard's inability to communicate with his readers in his orders for and report of the First Battle of Bull Run. His orders lack vital pieces of information and are ill-suited to his inexperienced subordinates. In fact, Beauregard's success is due to the initiative of his junior officers, not to any carefully thought out plan of his own. Beauregard also fails to consider the political ramifications of certain statements he makes in his report of the battle. These statements offend President Jefferson Davis and lead to Beauregard's demotion and banishment to the West.