The Civil War Part 6 - The Northren Virginia Campaign

Pope and Lee

The Northern Virginia Campaign, also known as the Second Bull Run Campaign or Second Manassas Campaign, was a series of battles fought in Northern Virginia  these battles lasted during August and September 1862.  Confederate General Robert E. Lee, following up his successes at the Seven day's campaign moved the Army of Northern Virginia (48,500 strong), north to confront General John Pope's Army of Virginia (75,000 strong).   Lee did this because of his concern that Pope's and McClellan's still large army would combine and overwhelm him. 

So Lee sent Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson north to intercept Pope at Gordonsville the forces though clashed at Cedar Mountain which was a confederate victory.  So Lee followed Jackson with most of his army.  Jackson then conducted a wide-ranging move around Pope's right flank, seizing the large supply depot in Pope's rear, at Manassas Junction.  Placing his men between Pope and Washington D.C. Jackson put his men in a well defended area near the battle of the First Manassas.  Jackson successfully repulsed Union attacks on August 29 as Lee and Longstreet's command arrived on the battlefield. On August 30, Pope attacked again, but was surprised to be caught between attacks by Longstreet and Jackson, and was forced to withdraw with heavy losses. The campaign concluded with another flanking maneuver by Jackson.  Jackson hoped to cut off the Union retreat from Bull Run. On September 1, beyond Chantilly Plantation on the Little River turnpike, near Ox Hill.  Jackson sent his divisions against two Union divisions, fierce fighting broke out.  The confederate attacks were stopped by fierce fighting during a severe thunderstorm. Union generals Stevens and Kearny were both killed. Recognizing that his army was still in danger at Fairfax Courthouse, Pope ordered the retreat to continue to Washington.
Lee's maneuvering against Pope is considered a great military masterpiece. Historian John J. Hennessy wrote that "Lee may have fought cleverer battles, but this was his greatest campaign."

In the end the Army of Northern Virginia lost 9,197, while the Union forces lost 16,054.