Existing comment:
1862: August 28 - 30:
Battle of Second Manassas, Virginia:
Merging several smaller forces, Lincoln created the short-lived Army of Virginia under Maj. Gen. John Pope. In late August, Lee moved against Pope's army in central Virginia. Maneuvered into battle at Manassas, Pope was thoroughly defeated and withdrew into the defenses surrounding Washington DC. For the second time, the Federals had met defeat at Manassas.
1862: September 4-18:
Maryland Campaign:
Following the Battle of Second Manassas, Lee marched his army north, hoping to draw Federal forces from Virginia and, perhaps, to gain Maryland's support for the Confederacy. Lee's plans, however, were discovered by Union Maj. Gen. McClellan who advanced his army to strike the Confederates while they were still divided. The Federals lost heir garrison at Harper's Ferry but were able to bring the Confederates to battle at Antietam Creek. The fierce fighting there on September 17 left 23,000 casualties. Lee withdrew into Virginia. |