The Confederate forces did not spare Washington D.C. after the Battle of Bull Run. In fact, the Confederates had initially hoped to capture the capital city, but they were unable to effectively coordinate their forces and pursue the retreating Union army. Additionally, Confederate general Robert E. Lee, who played a significant role in the battle, advised against an immediate attack on Washington D.C., as he believed his army was not in a suitable condition to successfully capture the heavily fortified city.
