1862 the Confederates Strike Back

By Kevin Carroll

In the late summer of 1862, after a series of victories culminating in the Union Armys rout at Second Manassas, General Lee and his commanders meet with President Davis and Secretary of State Judah Benjamin near that blood-soaked battleground to arrange a highly controversial and risky campaign for the fall. General Lee agrees to divide his Army of Northern Virginia by sending his most trusted general, Thomas Stonewall Jackson, to Kentucky with three Divisions by railcars to Knoxville, Tennessee. Jacksons Corps is ordered to march into Kentucky and meet with two other Confederate armies, those of Braxton Bragg and Kirby Smith, to secure that state for the Confederacy.

In 1862 The Confederates Strike Back, author Kevin Carroll offers a fictional work of military history that envisions what might have happened if commanders at the time had made other choices. The story journeys through a series of hypothetical historical events once the Battle of Second Manassas is complete.

Laced with military strategy, tactical maneuvering, and unforeseen complications caused by the fog of war, 1862 The Confederates Strike Back is complete with details on orders of battle that were accurate in late summer of 1862. It presents a realistic and plausible alternative to the historical events as they occurred. Can General Lee hold on and buy the time Jackson needs to complete his mission and return to Virginia? Will the risky strategy backfire on the South? Will the Confederacy achieve Independence?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jul 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491766484

Kevin Carroll

KEVIN CARROLL is a native of San Francisco. He is a graduate of both Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco. He has lived in the Santa Clara Valley for more than fifty years. Carroll is the author of A Moment’s Pause for Gratitude (Balboa Press, 2017)

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1862 THE CONFEDERATES STRIKE BACK

Copyright © 2015 Kevin Carroll.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names, and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-6649-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-6650-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-6648-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015906514

iUniverse rev. date:  07/15/2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1   Prelude to Manassas: The suppression of General Pope

Chapter 2   The Second Battle of Manassas

Chapter 3   The Confederates plan their strategy

Chapter 4   The Confederates enter the Border States

Chapter 5   The Federals counter

Chapter 6   The Reduction of Harper’s Ferry and Munfordville

Chapter 7   The Battle of South Mountain

Chapter 8   South Mountain, the second day

Chapter 9   The Battle of Pleasant Valley

Chapter 10   Bragg plans his options while Lee returns to Virginia

Chapter 11   Bluegrass storm approaches

Chapter 12   Battle of Shepardstown

Chapter 13   Making ready for battle in Kentucky

Chapter 14   The Battle of Perryville

Chapter 15   Perryville, the second day

Chapter 16   Perryville, the last day

Chapter 17   The aftermath of battle

About the Author

INTRODUCTION

In early 1861 at the onset of the War Between the States, President Abraham Lincoln requisitioned troops from all the states, including the neutral borders states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri attempting to build an army for the purpose of subduing the Confederate revolution. Several states refused to send their sons to fight against the Southern states which had successfully seceded from the Union.

Governor Magoffin of Kentucky replied, I say, emphatically, Kentucky will furnish no troops for the wicked purpose of subduing her sister Southern states.

Governor Jackson of Missouri replied Your requisition is illegal, unconstitutional, revolutionary, and inhumane and cannot be complied with.

The Governor of Maryland agreed to supply troops to defend Washington but not to invade the South; the Governor of Delaware stated he had no militia to send.

President Lincoln worried about the escalation of tension between the states fearing dissolution of the Union wrote a letter to a friend stating:

I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game, if my native Kentucky is gone, we cannot hold onto Missouri, nor, I think Maryland. If these all fall against us, then the job on our hands would be too large. We would as well consent to separation at once, including the surrender of this capital.

By the late summer of 1862, after the decisive Confederate victory over General Pope at Second Manassas, General Robert E. Lee took his Army of Northern Virginia into Maryland, the expedition culminating at the inconclusive Battle of Sharpsburg, also known as Antietam.

The battle had been the result of General Lee’s aggressive nature and ended Pope’s command. Lee’s intention at the start of the campaign was to suppress Pope after the latter’s infamous order # 11 which infuriated the entire South. The order gave authority to shoot any civilian suspected of supporting their country, the Confederacy.

Lee’s Army missed opportunities to completely destroy Pope earlier during the campaign that culminated at Second Manassas, and he was disappointed that even in such a decisive victory, the Union Army was able to escape back to the safety of its capital.

The defeat at Second Manassas was demoralizing to the Union. President Lincoln quickly disbanded Pope’s Army of Virginia and reappointed General McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac assigning Pope’s commands to him.

After the Union retreat from Second Manassas, General Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Maryland with thoughts of extending the invasion towards Pennsylvania. Once it was determined that the Confederates had marched into Maryland, McClellan responded by marching his Army of the Potomac towards Frederick City, near the foothills of the Catoctin Range, from his base in Washington.

The battle of Sharpsburg, which occurred shortly after those events, resulted in over 23,000 casualties near the banks of Antietam Creek. That sanguinary battle spread over miles of quiet Maryland farmland resulted in the largest loss of life in American history in a single day.

This book is a fictional work of active military history, which simply means: What might have happened if other choices were made by the commanders at the time. Their military and political options were not singular and without unforeseen ramifications. The future of two countries weighed in the balance with each strategic and tactical decision made by the military and political leadership. This novel intends to take the reader through a journey which veers in a different direction once the Battle of Second Manassas is complete.

By late August of 1862, considered by many to be the high water mark of the Confederacy, General Lee’s Army crossed into Maryland hoping to rescue it from persecution at roughly the same time General Bragg marched into Kentucky. Neither campaign was successful as the South did not focus enough strength and pressure in either theater for success to be ensured.

In this novel called 1862 The Confederates Strike Back President Jefferson Davis of the Confederate States convinces a skeptical Robert E. Lee, after his brilliant success at Manassas, to allow General T.J. Stonewall Jackson to take his Corps via railcars to Knoxville and then proceed by march into Kentucky with the intentions of merging with the Southern Armies of Bragg, Kirby Smith and Earl Van Dorn’s forces.

The Confederate plan was to lure a Union Army, then under General Don Carlos Buell, into the Bluegrass State and isolate it to ensure its total destruction.

The Confederate hierarchy was confident that a march into Kentucky by Bragg’s Army would ensure the requisite reaction from General Buell. By transporting Stonewall Jackson’s Corps and combining them with Kirby Smith’s forces, the Confederates would present overwhelming numbers when they came to battle against Buell. The disparity in combat readiness between the two forces would also have a significant contribution to the outcome as over two thirds of the Federal troops were raw and had not even a proper training before being committed to battle.

The intention of President Davis was to secure Kentucky to the Confederacy and in the process destroy the Federal Army of General Buell who had earlier invaded eastern Tennessee after helping General U.S. Grant earn victory at Shiloh.

This novel takes the reader through a journey laced with military strategy, tactical complications and ramifications caused by the fogginess of war.

It is written with details on orders of battle which were accurate in late summer of 1862 and therefore presents a realistic and plausible alternative to the actual situation that occurred.

Many of the Confederate reports and files were destroyed and therefore it is nearly impossible to write a novel at the regimental level when dealing with significant formations. The novel written at a brigade level has sought to be correct at that level in the various orders of battle presented and accounted for in the maps.

Finally, this book is dedicated to the memory of the countless thousands of Confederate soldiers who fought and died for a Southern Republic; defending their families, homes and freedom from what they perceived as Federal tyranny, aggression and invasion. The Confederate Army, an American Army commanded by American generals, is the only fighting force in American history that has not received proper recognition for their sacrifices to their States.

The courage, valor and honor of those Confederates displayed against incredible odds and under tremendous hardship should not be forgotten as revisionist history often does to the vanquished. Their battle flags have been desecrated and usurped over a century and a half by nefarious constituencies who do no honor to the lost multitudes that fell on the fields at Second Manassas, Gettysburg and Chickamauga.

In attempting to restore that lost honor for future generations, this story works to convey the sense of duty they felt to their leaders, their country and to each other. They considered themselves a new revolutionary army, not a rebel army. They had a commitment to duty and service to their sovereign States, fighting for liberty, against an overpowering adversary whose resources in men and material ultimately could not be matched.

I also wish to also acknowledge those Federal soldiers who fought and died with courage and honor preserving the Union against Southern independence their effort in the words of Stonewall Jackson worthy of a better cause.

CHAPTER ONE

PRELUDE TO MANASSAS: THE SUPPRESSION OF GENERAL POPE

The night of the raid on August 22nd was pitch black, a driving rainstorm lit only by the occasional lighting strike, gave cover to the fifteen hundred gray riders as they gathered beyond the tree line just above the camp. They had followed their leader General Jeb Stuart along the rising banks of Cedar Run until they came upon Catlett’s Station, the Union army headquarters of General Pope roughly ten miles behind the front lines. In a dense forest with rain pelting down through the trees onto their broad brim hats and long coats the riders moved their mounts into attack position. The thunderstorm masked the noise of so many horses as they gathered shoulder to shoulder, some terrified, whinnying and bucking in response to the close proximity of the lightning bolts.

The camp was quiet as men sought shelter from the weather and the Federal pickets huddled together in small groups near large oaks seeking to find any respite from the torrential conditions. Stuart sent the 1st and 5th Virginia cavalry to make diversions in the adjacent Federal camps and ordered the 9th Virginia to storm Pope’s camp while sending a detachment of engineers off to destroy the bridge over Cedar Run.

The signal was given and the cavaliers burst out of the darkness and upon the Union headquarters camp with screams of their Rebel yell. The camp guard was surprised and quickly routed by the hard charging cavaliers and fortunately for Pope, he was not at headquarters that night but near the front with his Corps commanders. The successful attack lasted only minutes and the Confederates were able to gather two hundred prisoners, animals and supplies including many of the personal belongings of Pope from his tent, before making off back into the dark of night.

Jeb Stuart had personally wanted to find his lost hat, complete with ostrich plume, and took great pleasure in the confiscation of one of Pope’s dress uniforms from his tent. A large amount of cash that was intended for payroll of the army was also taken, but the effort to burn the bridges and destroy the link for supplies to the Federal army had failed due to the constant rain and the inability to maintain a fire on the bridge.

Upon his return Stuart sent a dispatch to Pope stating, You have my hat and plume and I have your coat, so therefore I propose a cartel for the exchange of the prisoners.

Pope was not impressed and did not bother to reply but responding to warnings from his Corps commanders for more vigilance towards his rear and the army’s supply depots, retorted that … let us look before us, and not behind. Success and glory are in the advance, disaster and shame lurk in the rear.

The news of the loss of Stuart’s hat and cape traveled throughout the Confederate camp so that for weeks after the event, the troops would often tease Jeb as he rode through, Lookie boys-Jeb’s got a new hat! and Hey thar cavalry, whar’s yo hat? Stuart was naturally embarrassed by such teasing and was devoted to regaining his honor in the eyes of the enlisted men.

He penned a letter to his wife stating I am greeted on all sides with congratulations and where’s your hat? I had just enough time to mount my horse and clear the back fence, having no time to get me haversack, blanket, talma, cloak, and hat that had the palmetto star. Too bad wasn’t it? I intend to make the Yankees pay for the hat! His successful night raid on Catlett’s Station was small recompense to the ridicule he received from the men in the weeks to follow.

A few days’ earlier Union cavalry patrols had come upon the bivouac of Jeb Stuart near Raccoon Ford and came within minutes of capturing Stuart early in the morning as he rested in the home of a local farmer. Being awoken by his staff and startled to find Federal cavalry moving down the road to the house, he and his staff jumped into their saddles leaving behind his satchel bag, plumed hat and sash cape which fell into the hands of the Federals just moments later. In the bag was a copy of Lee’s order for the attack on Pope’s exposed army.

After the captured orders were returned to Pope’s headquarters, he realized the folly of laying his forces in their current disposition near the confluence of the rain-swollen Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers and immediately ordered the withdrawal of the Federal forces north behind the Rappahannock River.

Pope’s forces soon pitched camp and began to retreat in haste from their precarious position. General Lee, scouting the Federal forces from upon a ridge at Cedar Mountain, turned to Longstreet and said with some dismay General, we thought little that the enemy would turn his back upon us so early in the campaign. Longstreet shook his head and shared in Lee’s frustration that once again those people had escaped the trap.

Earlier that summer, and shortly after the retreat of General George McClellan’s Army from the vicinity of Richmond, the Federals had organized a new army, called the Army of Virginia, similar in sound to the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. This new army was composed of a group of commands from northern and western Virginia and under the command of General John Pope who had been brought in from the west. Pope’s army was formed into three Corps, the first commanded by General Sigel, the second by Banks (which after learning of Jackson’s movements to Richmond had been ordered to report to Pope) and the third was commanded by General McDowell. General Burnside’s forces were also recalled from North Carolina to reinforce the battered Federal Army of the Potomac.

By the end of July Pope’s Army reported nearly 50,000 men under arms. At about the same time General H.W. Halleck was appointed commander of all Federal Armies as General in Chief.

Upon assuming command of the Federal Army of Virginia, Pope made an immediate impression upon the Confederates with the issuance of his General Order No. 11 which intensely incensed the people of South and the Confederate army to a man. The order stated that:

…all commands will proceed immediately to arrest all disloyal male citizens within their lines or within their reach in rear of their respective stations. Such as are willing to take the oath of allegiance to the United States and will furnish sufficient security for its observance, shall be permitted to remain at their homes and pursue in good faith their accustomed avocations. Those who refuse shall be conducted south beyond the extreme pickets of this army, and be notified that if found within Federal lines they will be considered spies, and subjected to the extreme vigor of military law. Those persons who were found in violation of the order would be shot and his property seized and applied to the public use. Furthermore, any person found with any type of correspondence with the enemy is to be treated as a spy.

This was considered a measure of unnecessary severity towards non-combatants and was received as such by the Confederate Army which was highly motivated to expel Pope’s army from Virginia.

With reports of Pope’s Army gathering strength near Culpepper on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, the Confederates were concerned about the strategic rail crossing at Gordonsville falling under Federal control and thus cutting off Richmond from a valuable rail service to the west, the distance being roughly 20 miles, or a good days march from Culpepper.

Now that the threat of a siege on Richmond was abated, Lee sensing the danger of being trapped between the two strong Federal armies of both Pope and McClellan, decided to send two of Jackson’s Divisions under Ewell and Winder by train to Louisa via the Virginia Central railroad which lay approximately 15 miles from Gordonsville. The artillery and wagons being ordered to move along the roads as best they could. At Louisa station, Jackson’s men unloaded from the trains and proceeded to march into Gordonsville.

Upon their arrival at Gordonsville, Jackson secured the area but realized that he was facing a foe too large to engage, he therefore called for reinforcements. Lee responded by sending the forces of General A.P. Hill The Light Division. Hill’s Light Division was as large as the other two Divisions of Ewell and Winder combined. It was Lee’s intention for Jackson to suppress Pope by striking a quick blow and driving him back over the Rappahannock River northeast towards Washington, thus being able to have the time to recall Jackson’s troops to the Richmond theatre before McClellan would advance again from his base at Harrison’s Landing on the James River. Pope was pillaging the Virginian countryside and the people were crying for relief which Lee could not ignore.

There was great consternation from the Confederate command about the presence of such a large Federal force in striking range of Richmond. The threat of two large Federal armies gathering strength for another assault or siege against the Confederate capital with the superiority in men and materiel imposed on Lee the need to strike first.

In early August, Lee received valuable intelligence that another large Federal force consisting of the Ninth Corps under General Burnside was gathering near Fredericksburg. These were troops that were recently moved up from their occupation of the North Carolina inlets. If the Federal Ninth Corps joined Pope at Culpeper, it would place Jackson’s command in great peril, so Lee sent a letter to Jackson advising him to strike quickly before the formation of the Federal forces could be achieved. Jackson’s force advanced north from Gordonsville along the Orange and Alexandria railroad and met the Federal forces advancing south from Culpeper.

The two sides clashed on August 9, 1862 in a pitched battle at Cedar Mountain. As the Federal assault under the leadership of Banks intensified, Winder’s Division started to fall back and some of the brigades began to retire in disorder after their gallant leader fell to a cannon blast. At that crucial time, Jackson personally rode forward to lead the demoralized troops and started to rally some of the regiments. A.P. Hill’s Light Division then arrived on the field and surged into the Federal lines driving them back, regaining the lost ground from earlier in the contest. The battle continued to rage on until well past dark when both sides ceased firing for lack of daylight. The armies rested on their arms that night and the following day both armies remained quiet waiting for the other to launch an attack. After the stalemate languished late into the day, Pope sent a flag of truce to Jackson seeking to allow for both sides to collect their dead and the remaining wounded from the field on the following day.

Jackson realized that Pope was reforming his lines with fresh reinforcements arriving from Fredericksburg and would have the ability to launch a strong assault at daybreak, accepted the truce with the stipulation that the time for the removal of dead be extended until after dark. The modification of terms was approved by Pope and the work commenced. Jackson then used the extra time to withdraw his troops from the front after darkness ensued, leaving behind a multitude of campfires as a deception to Pope who believed his advisory was still before him.

Jackson’s stealthy departure from the field emboldened Pope who immediately declared a great victory for the north and he wired Halleck that the army would start the pursuit at once. Jackson returned to his original position near Gordonsville while Pope moving cautiously settled on the northeast side of the Rapidan River.

The threatening nature of the Confederate forces at Gordonsville caused some concern for Halleck in Washington. He sent a telegram warning Pope to be cautious of Jackson given the nature of his stealthy withdrawal from the battlefield after inflicting a serious blow on Banks forces. Halleck thought that Jackson might be setting a snare for Pope’s army. He advised him not to pursue Jackson headlong and into a possible Confederate trap.

After pondering the growing Confederate position near Gordonsville, he finally convinced President Lincoln to order the withdrawal of McClellan’s Army from their base on the James River to reinforce Pope’s Army. Halleck believed in the assessment of McClellan that Lee had nearly 200,000 troops near Richmond and therefore it was not prudent to conduct offensive operations in that area. By combining the strengths of the two forces, the Federal army could then strike and drive Jackson’s Corps and the Confederates back on their trenches near Richmond and force a close to the war before the end of the year. In actuality, Lee’s forces near Richmond were less than 60,000 after the departure of Jackson to Gordonsville.

Lee suspected that the new focus of any Federal attack would be in the north out of Pope’s Army based on his observation of a timid McClellan near Harrison’s Landing and the arrogant posture of Pope with his General Order no. 11. Information from his cavalry commanders Jeb Stuart and Captain John Mosby gave him the knowledge that Federal activity near Fredericksburg and on the Potomac was increasing and that General John Porter’s Corps from McClellan’s Army was departing Harrison’s Landing to join Pope on the Rapidan River as soon as practicable. Lee had decided to combine his forces with Jackson’s and so ordered General James Pete Longstreet and his Corps to Gordonsville.

Longstreet’s Corps with ten brigades started to board the trains in mid-August and was met by General J.B. Hood’s Brigades from Hanover Junction at that destination. After Lee arrived at Gordonsville, he met with both of his Corps commanders and they quickly realized the opportunity that lay before them.

The rivers were still flowing strongly after the recent heavy rains and the location that Pope placed his forces left them in great peril strategically. They were tightly packed between the two rivers which flowed from the west to east at an acute angle without adequate means of retreat since the customary fords were too swollen to move over quickly if necessary to the rear. Pope never considered the issues of the rear as he always told his corps commanders that only disaster lurks in the rear. The consolidation of the Federal forces had not yet been accomplished which gave Lee the incentive to take offensive operations against the forces thus assembled in the pocket giving the Confederates a rare advantage not often seen in warfare.

Longstreet immediately lobbied for a flanking attack against the open stretch of the rivers closer to the Blue Ridge where the rivers were nearly 20 miles apart and to force the Federal army back into the apex were they could systematically destroy the larger foe that would have its back against the swollen river. Lee desired an attack into the tighter section of the angle thus cutting the Federal army off from its base of supply and support. The debate being settled in the view of Lee, the orders were issued. The infantry began to assemble behind Clark Mountain for the surprise assault but needed to wait for the trains and the remainder of Longstreet’s troops to come up. The delay proved to be a costly one for Lee.

With the removal of the Pope’s army from the Rapidan River area, the Confederate forces pursued the retiring Federal forces until the two armies stood across from one another on the Rappahannock a few days later. Lee was very concerned that time was not on the side of the Army of Northern Virginia. He knew the Federal forces could only grow stronger in his front and the strategic withdrawal by Pope did not constitute a victory for Lee but compounded the issue by allowing the Federal army more time to consolidate before it attacked him.

Lee decided to requisition President Davis to send him additional forces in the form of the Divisions of Generals D. H. Hill, McLaws, and a part of Walker’s along with Hampton’s cavalry from Richmond. Davis agreed and made arrangements to strip the Capital of its best forces to support his field commander. The reserve Division of General R.H. Anderson and two battalions of artillery were ordered to march in support, the latter coming up from Orange Courthouse.

The success of Stuart’s raid at Catlett’s Station gave General Lee another idea for prying Pope’s army off the Rappahannock River, a flanking march by Stonewall Jackson around the Union Army to destroy its supply depot at Manassas Junction.

CHAPTER TWO

THE SECOND BATTLE OF MANASSAS

August 24th; near Culpeper Courthouse, 8pm.

General Lee rode up to the front step of the two story farm house that had been serving as the command post for the army along with General Longstreet, Major A. L. Long and Colonel Walter Taylor, Lee’s aide de camp. The smoldering ruins of farms and discarded military equipment along their path was testament to Pope’s rapid exodus from his precarious position between the two rivers.

They had just returned after a reconnaissance of the Rappahannock crossings near the bridge on the Orange and Alexandria railroad. General Pope’s Army had retreated to higher ground on the northern bank of the river, thus securing a strong position after the recent heavy rains had swollen the river so that the customary fords were not crossable. An artillery duel that had continued throughout the day began to wane as Lee dismounted his favorite horse, Traveler. He patted the shoulder of his trusted old friend twice, and motioned to Long Please see to it that he gets something to eat, it has been a long day.

He replied Yes General, I will see to it at once sir.

Lee turned to Longstreet and nodded in the direction of the brown colt tied to the wood post and said, General it appears our young cavalier has arrived, we shall not keep him waiting.

Longstreet, pulling the end of an unlit cigar out his mouth acknowledged the fact with a low grunt and said General Jackson is late; perhaps there is trouble on the left?

Lee responded No sir, I believe General Jackson will be here shortly, I sent word for him to prepare his men for a march.

Sir? responded Longstreet.

Lee held up his hand and said, Let us not keep General Stuart waiting any longer.

Longstreet gave a nod and they walked through the main entrance of the house into the foyer, where the owner, who had been widowed, came to greet the two generals as they entered the parlor.

Upon Lee’s entrance into the parlor, Jeb Stuart jumped from the couch and saluted. Lee offered a return salutation General Stuart, I pray that you are well sir?

Yes, thank you sir replied Stuart.

Longstreet, not one for formalities, immediately went to the rectangular table in the center of the room to examine the maps and lit the cigar that had been chewed to a stub. The table contained maps of northern Virginia, along with marked positions of Federal and Confederate positions as of the latest reconnaissance.

Lee asked Any news from Munford? Stuart replied that his brigade commander had not been able to locate a fordable area of the river due to the recent heavy rains and the swollen conditions of the local rivers.

General T.J. Stonewall Jackson entered the house and was directed into the room by Colonel Taylor as he pronounced General Jackson!

The three men turned to the entrance and Lee acknowledged Jackson stating Thomas, I am glad to see you are well sir.

Yes sir, thank you General Lee Jackson responded.

Lee then walked over to the table and pointing to a location north of the Federal position based on the latest reports and asked General Stuart sir, congratulations on your recent raid at Catlett’s Station. It appears that we have a better disposition of General Pope’s intentions and forces based on the collection of documents retrieved, please elaborate on the situation in their rear areas. It is surprising that the bridge at Cedar Run was not defended?

Stuart’s eyes were beaming with the acknowledgment of his commander and gave the account of the daring cavalry raid which had sought to gain the rear of the Federal army by maneuvering left behind the right flank of Pope crossing the Rappahannock River at the Waterloo Bridge with the main intent to burn the bridge over Cedar Run, a smaller river running roughly parallel to the Rappahannock approximately 10 miles behind the front lines of Pope. The bridge at Cedar Run lay between Pope and his current base of supplies at Manassas Junction. As Stuart was finishing his presentation, Longstreet finally interrupted, So the bridge below Catlett’s Station is still intact?

Yes sir, the rains were so severe, we could not fire the bridge responded Stuart and he continued we even took axes to the frame but the work was too great for the time we had after dispersing Pope’s headquarters and the Yankees started to form up, so the game was played and we returned with the prisoners, documents and as much munitions as the boys could carry along with several chests in U.S. currency that Pope’s headquarters had.

Longstreet nodded and looked over to Lee and stated General sir, it is only a matter of time until McClellan brings up his forces from the James to reinforce Pope and create pressure on us to withdraw back onto Richmond. Lee nodded in agreement and silence came over the room.

Long was back now after seeing to the horses and entered the parlor motioning to Jackson that his horse had also been seen to. Jackson raised his right hand as to almost bestow a blessing on the young Colonel giving him a nod.

Lee cleared his throat and all returned their gaze upon the map. So, it is your opinion sir that Thoroughfare Gap has been left undefended? Lee asked Stuart.

Yes, sir as of yesterday my scouts report that it was not being defended.

Lee took the cup and sipped the coffee placing it back on the table. Silence again came over the room, the only noise being the sound of wagons moving along the road outside and after several minutes he said, After the reconnaissance made today in our front and the cavalry report made here by General Stuart, it is evident that General Pope is intent on holding the good high ground and will likely dig in await one of two scenarios, either an attack by us, or wait for McClellan and his troops which are mobilizing near Fredericksburg to come up and reinforce him to allow the Federal army to assault our position and perhaps flank us where we stand. With a sweeping motion of his hand over the map he continued The fords in our front are swollen and are not passable at the moment due to inclement weather, and even if that was not the case, they hold the better ground and have dug themselves into a position I dare not strike. Those people need to be strategically moved off that river bank.

Lee turned and paced the room returning to the table to say We must determine a method to engage those people before they can consolidate their forces with those en route from Fredericksburg; time is against us here gentlemen. Therefore I propose a flanking march by Jackson’s Corps around their right flank along the western range of Bull Run Mountain passing back through at Thoroughfare gap with the purpose to destroy their supply base at Manassas. That action should dislodge him from his current favorable position.

Lee concluded This will pull Pope off of the Rappahannock as he will not tolerate our forces to attack his trains and depot.

Longstreet cautioned General Lee, to divide the army in the face of a larger force could invite disaster to our cause, I ask you to reconsider such a daring move.

Pete Lee responded if we do nothing but wait is to invite disaster to these men who have already given so much. I truly believe sir that they are up to the task.

Jackson then speaking for the first time said I can have Ewell march before dawn, followed by Taliaferro and A.P. Hill’s Divisions. We should be at Manassas Junction in two days march.

That is more than fifty miles general? Lee responded.

Yes sir, two days march Jackson quipped.

Longstreet then added Your men will be worn from the march, if you have to fight a battle against forces we have not detected how then do you expect to get your Corps back?

He will not have to come back, interjected Lee Stuart will follow the next day, using his cavalry to screen to the right and hide our intentions. Once the supply depot is destroyed Jackson will march his troops back in the direction of Groveton towards the Thoroughfare Gap where your Corps sir will be crossing to reunite. Anderson’s Division shall remain behind to demonstrate against Pope’s front and allow time for the consolidation of both Corps to occur. Once we are united behind Pope, and between him and Washington, he will be forced to offer battle on our ground in the mode which you most desire at this Lee gazed directly into the eyes of Longstreet which was met by a nod of approval.

If he starts to pull out early and gain the ground between us it could be a serious problem Longstreet cautioned.

Lee then turned to Jeb Stuart who had been silent for most of the conference and said I am sure our fine young cavalier will give us ample notice of any Federal movements in that direction.

Stuart replied Yes sir, the cavalry will confuse and delay any Yankee movements to impede General Jackson’s mission, sir!

Lee again looked across at Jackson General sir, move quick and light, have the men strip down their haversacks, double ammunition, bring only ordinance and hospital wagons, along with light artillery, Longstreet will bring up the remaining trains with his wing. This must be a lightning fast flanking march if it is to succeed; the South is in your capable hands sir.

General Lee, sir responded Jackson We shall be in the Federal supply depot at Manassas, before Pope knows what day it is with the help of a divine providence.

Very well then, said Lee and added after a short pause Thomas, you may have to hold near Groveton against a formidable opposition until Pete can bring up the rest of the army, your men will be severely tested sir.

Yes sir, General Lee, the men are confident and fully capable of taking on whatever it is that Pope has to throw against us responded Jackson.

The Armies maneuver for strategic advantage:

General Pope had been wiring Washington throughout the week inquiring the status of McClellan’s Army which on the orders of Halleck was to disembark at Harrison’s landing, moving by transport ships up the Potomac River to northern Virginia. McClellan’s advance Corp of General Porter was the first to arrive near Aquia Creek and had marched to within a few miles of Pope’s lines. Another Corps under General Heintzelman was moving up via transport boats shortly behind Porter. In a few days’ times, Pope would have the combination he desired to enable him to take the offensive against Lee’s army.

At the center of his front facing Lee were the Corps of Generals Reno, McDowell, Banks and Sigel from left to right respectively. His latest wire to Washington expressed that the rebels were massing along his front and had numbers exceeding 120,000 men but due to the state of the rivers in the area; there was no practicable way for them to attack. His position was defensive on the high ground north of the Rappahannock and if Lee should attack him as he had done so during the Seven Days campaign on the Peninsula, he would bloody him first and then drive him back into Richmond. The war would be over in a month’s time.

With an army of 75,000 troops, the prudent military strategy was to hold the ground and invite attack while awaiting the promised reinforcements of Franklin and McClellan whose combined forces would allow him to become the aggressor within a week. He had no idea that Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia consisted of just over 60,000 troops being under the impression that the Confederate Army had twice that number.

By the end of August 25th, Stonewall Jackson’s Corp had marched 25 miles to the town of Salem on the Manassas Gap rail road behind the Bull Run Mountains where the dusty and hungry column bivouacked for the night. With scarce supplies of crushed corn meal and hard tack, the troops made their fires that night under a gibbous moon wondering where their leader was taking them. Some pondered that they were returning to the Shenandoah where earlier in the year they had defeated Banks before being summoned to support Longstreet near Richmond in the Seven days battles. Others guessed correctly, that they would turn east at Salem and gain the Federal rear striking for the large supply depot known to be at Manassas Junction.

Early the next morn, when the dew was still moist on the Virginian soil, the answer was clear to them all as they turned east at Salem in the direction of the Bull Run Mountains. At the turn a cheer began to rise amongst the men which were quickly silenced by their officers. This was to be a silent march as well as a fast one on orders of the Commanding General. As the column passed into Thoroughfare Gap spirits were high as they had not faced opposition at such a critical point.

The Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run Mountains is very narrow such that a single brigade properly posted, could hold up an entire column for several days. Having successfully passed the Gap, Jackson’s Corp marched through the towns of Hay Market and Gainesville on its way towards Bristoe Station. Bristoe was a depot on the Orange and Alexandria railroad, the main artery of Federal supplies down to the Rappahannock where Pope’s troops were massing. It also lay about five miles south of Manassas Junction, the target of Jackson’s raid. At Bristoe Station, a river called Broad Run ran perpendicular to the rail line and it was Jackson’s intention to destroy that bridge in order to prevent a rapid advance of Federal troops over the bridge and to attack his column as they conducted their expedition towards Manassas.

As twilight settled in on the 26th, Jackson’s weary column had reached Bristoe. They had positioned themselves between Pope’s Army of nearly 75,000 and Washington. A march of over fifty miles in two days with only limited rations, the exhausted troops fell off the road and into deep slumber. Jackson realized that a great prize was within reach and summoned Ewell to order him to send a few regiments up to Manassas Junction before the main body of the column was discovered in bivouac near Bristoe. Jackson’s column was in terrible danger as it were and nothing had been accomplished beyond a heroic march in good season that had left his Corps worn and vulnerable to attack.

General Trimble of Ewell’s Division volunteered for the mission and Jackson sent Jeb Stuart and his cavalry to assist. Their mission was to secure the depot and restrict any Federal reinforcements from arriving via rail car from Alexandria. Jackson notified Trimble that the remainder of the Corps would move at dawn to meet them at Manassas.

Upon forming up the troops on the morning of August 27th, Jackson left the remainder of Ewell’s Division at Bristoe to guard against the coming Federal surge and marched the other Divisions under A.P. Hill and Taliaferro the remaining few miles north into the Federal supply depot at Manassas.

When the hungry and tired troops arrived a few hours later they were amazed at what their eyes saw. A solid mile of wagons parked side by side their mule teams grazing lazily in the adjacent fields, stacked supplies in overwhelming multitudes, newly built storehouses, hundreds of rail boxcars stuffed full with rations, clothing, medical supplies, blankets, guns, ammunition, it was enough to cause a riot, in fact it did.

The regiments of Trimble having secured the depot the night before with little loss had anticipated the reaction of the half-starved horde who rushed the depot looking to fill their depleted stomachs. Trimble’s guard was easily overtaken by their comrades who looked to fill their haversacks. Even Jackson realized that the Provost guard could do little to temper the animal that had become unleashed. As the men plundered the depot the sound of cannon in the distance created enough concern for him to call A.P. Hill’s Division to move north and investigate.

Hill’s men angered at having to be called away from the feast, moved into position about three miles north of the depot and encountered a brigade of New Jersey recruits under General Taylor who upon forming ranks attacked Hill’s men. The salvo from Hill’s Brigades made short work of the Federal brigade which suffered heavy casualties, the gallant Taylor being killed in the attack.

Jackson looking over the field at the loss of an entire Federal brigade would mention in his report the advance was made with great spirit and determination and under a leader worthy of a better cause.

He then ordered the bridge which the New Jersey infantry crossed to be fired to prevent any more annoyance from that general direction. Upon returning to the depot he ordered all the ordinance and ambulance wagons filled to the brim with supplies, commandeered as many new wagons as they could find mule teams to pull, and ordered the rest of the stock put to the torch. At about this time, Jackson received word from Ewell that he was under attack at Bristoe, the game was up. He ordered each Division to