The first land battle of the civil war took place near virginia, on july _ _, 18_ _
at this battle, the union army the confederate army.
what did citizens of both the confederacy and the united states realize at this time ?

It took place near Manassas, Virginia on July 21, 1861. It was called the First Battle of Bull Run or the First Manassas. At this battle, the union army lost to the confederates. This was the battle when they realized that the war was really starting. They realized that is was essentially "game on" and nobody would go down without a fight.