Following the attack on Fort Sumter, both North and South prepare for war, racing to redress the country's military complacency after a decade unthreatened by foreign wars. Responding to calls to prevent the first session of the Confederate Congress from meeting in Richmond, Virginia, President Lincoln orders an advance upon Rebel forces in the vicinity of Manassas Junction. The ensuing battle (First Bull Run) provides early evidence of the ferocity of the looming crisis. Text by William Hillenbrand, music by Dennis Kennedy, narration by Dave Inglehart.