When the Peninsula Campaign began in 1862 Northern hopes were again raised for a quick victory, but the poor progress of George McClellan resulted in a restless northern public. In sharp contrast, Lee's success in stopping McClellan's advance cast him as the savior of Richmond and cloaked his army with a sense of invincibility. Even as Lee pushed McClellan away from Richmond, Union General John Pope led his army deeper into Virginia, introducing a policy of bringing the war directly to the southern people. Responding to the impact of Pope's methods, Lee called him a "miscreant," declared that he "must be suppressed," and set out to do precisely that. "The name of every officer, non-commissioned officer, and private who has shared in the toils and privations of this campaign should be mentioned...I would I could do justice to all of these gallant officers and men in this report." -Confederate General James Longstreet
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Richmond National Battlefield Park
Chapter 1: Pushing Forward
The movements of General George McClellan's Union Army in the first half of 1862 affected the Confederate civilians that they were encountering but also the Confederate morale. Read more
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Chapter 2: Union Command Trouble
Union commanders needed to work together to win the Civil War but could they? Read more
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Chapter 3: The Confederates Take August
Confederate General Lee is determined that the Union is no longer a threat to Richmond and decides to take action. Read more
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Manassas National Battlefield Park
Chapter 4: August 28, 1862
The Confederate army, under Jackson's command, was closing in on Manassas for a second time during the war. Read more
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Manassas National Battlefield Park
Chapter 5: Constant Attack
The Battle of Second Manassas rages on with Stonewall Jackson leading the charge Read more
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Manassas National Battlefield Park
Chapter 6: The Attack Continues
Second Manassas would prove to be more of a challenge then the Union forces believed Read more