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- BGG #5,411
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Across 5 Aprils
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- 60–360 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1992
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- BGG #9,730
- BGG rating
- 8.0
The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
2021
Rules assistance for The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–2 players
- 240–640 min
- 14+
- Complexity 3.0/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861)
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) is a board game released in 2021 for 1–2 players, 240–640 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Matt Ward (II) and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid, Simulation, and Chit-Pull System.
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About the game
“...and all were certain the day was ours.” Irvin McDowell On August 4, 1861, Brigadier General Irvin McDowell submitted his report on the campaign and resulting battle of Bull Run on July 21,1861, the first significant campaign of the American Civil War in Virginia. His report captures his wonder at how the Union army's unexpected turning movement and resulting victorious moment turned into a mass of disorder streaming towards Washington by nightfall. The Confederates had been outmaneuvered and outfought in the morning engagement and seemed simply unaware of the fact that they had been beaten as McDowell and staff clearly saw. That unwillingness to accept defeat brought the Confederates a victory. Inexperience and exuberance were present in equal measure in both armies and combined to provide for a uniquely chaotic battlefield. As you review your armies the names of brigade and division commanders will be instantly familiar; Sherman, Jackson, Burnside, Johnston, et al are all present where they began to learn their trade. The Blind Swords system provides a custom fit for this early war battle where troops may or may not respond to orders, may hold their fire thinking that the enemy is their friend and where chaos was certainly the order of the day. The Day Was Ours is the sixth game in Revolution Games' Blind Swords series of regimental-level games on American Civil War Battles.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Revolution Games (II)
Questions and answers
The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) supports 1–2 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) is 240–640 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) belongs to these categories: Wargame and American Civil War. Its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid, Simulation, and Chit-Pull System. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) are: Matt Ward (II). These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists The Day Was Ours: First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.