Given the state of both armies that early in the war, even a decisive Union victory at Bull Run in 1861 would have left McDowell in no condition to pursue as the rebel Army of the Potomac skeddaddled off to Richmond. So in no way does it bring the end of the war in 1861. With so significant a change, it's doubtful Jackson gains his "Stonewall" sobriquet, and if he does, maybe General Bee can explain if he meant it as a compliment or insult.
So any Confederate collapse as a result of Bull Run would be political, not military, in nature. As of Bull Run, Tennessee had seceded but not yet formally joined the Confederacy. So it's possible that Bull Run leads Tennessee to attempt a Kentucky-like neutrality.
Interesting.
How much sooner does the war end in this scenario?
