{"value"=>"<p>Bull Run materials consist of three bound sets of oversize tables documenting USSC investigations into the condition of Federal troops before, during and after the battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861). Shortly after the battle, the USSC sent inspectors to ascertain and administer to the needs of regiments which had been engaged. A further objective was to collect information regarding the health and condition of the troops before, during and after the engagement, in order to determine any defects in the Army’s mode of providing for the necessities of the troops at those particular times. The effects of long or forced marches on soldiers and possible causes of demoralization at the battle were also explored. Inspectors were given printed questionnaires to guide their investigations and record their findings. The findings were summarized and presented as Appendix IV in the USSC’s December 1861 Report to the Secretary of War (USSC Document No. 40), prepared by Frederick Law Olmsted. The original returns are not present in the collection. The Statistical Bureau later abstracted and presented the responses in tabular form on the three sets of oversize tables found here: Bull Run 1, before and during the engagement; Bull Run 2, after engagement and causes; and Bull Run 3, second form of tabulation (a compilation of data from the previous sets). All tables are chiefly in the handwriting of USSC staff member John Bowne, who worked closely with the Bureau.</p>"}