On June 10, 1861, Confederate forces under Colonel John Bankhead Magruder engaged numerically superior Federal forces under Brigadier General Ebenzer W. Pierce in what is recognized as the first planned land engagement of the Civil War. After a hotly contested struggle of four hours duration near Big Bethel Church, the Federal assault was repulsed and Pierce withdrew his men to Fort Monroe and Camp Butler. The Federals sustained 76 casualties, the Confederates 8. The South was jubilant over this signal victory.