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Whatever weaknesses were seen in the Army of Virginia led by Union General John Pope, General Lee perceived a danger from it. Lee saw that Pope's army was a threat to the Virginia Central Railroad. This was the rail link to the important Shenandoah Valley. Not wanting to be forced back to defend Richmond if it came under siege, Lee decided to use his advantage in his interior lines to concentrate his forces and assault Pope's army, while McClellan's forces were slowly coming to reinforce Pope. Lee then brought his entire army together to confront Pope.

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Q: Why did Robert E. Lee decide to attack General Pope?
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Who defeated Robert E Lee?

Robert Smalls killed him.


How was lee able to defeat Pope at the second Battle of Bull Run?

By distracting Pope to his front, while sending part of his army under Stonewall on a long, circuitous march to capture the Union supply depot. When Pope heard of this, he turned to face Stonewall, but lost track of both parts of Lee's army. Eventually Lee and Stomewall re-united and sent Pope into a headlong retreat.


What situation in July of 1862 caused Confederate General Lee to focus his attention on the Union General Pope's army?

General Robert E. Lee viewed Union General John Pope's army in northern Virginia to be a threat to the Virginia Central Railroad. This was an important line of supply and communications between Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley. While General McClellan was slow to move his troops out of the Peninsula, Lee decided to focus his attention on Pope and prepare an assault on his Union army.


What critical error did Union General John Pope make on August 29 1862?

As the day unfolded that began the Second Battle of Bull Run, Pope decided to assault the forces of Stonewall Jackson. Pope failed to recognize that Confederate General James Longstreet was moving toward a position on Pope's left flank. Pope sent his troops to attack Stonewall Jackson, and this failed. Meantime, Longstreet's army of 25- to 35,000 troops remained a serious threat on Pope's left flank. Union General Porter warned Pope of the danger that Longstreet presented. As for Pope, he mistrusted anyone who was a general under George B. McClellan and Pope did not believe how close Longstreet's troops were. With this in mind, Pope prepared for anther day of frontal assaults on Jackson. He also wired Washington DC that he had already won a major victory. This had no base in evidence at all.


Who defeated Pope in the second Battle of Bull Run?

Union General John Pope advanced his forces against the smaller army of Stonewall Jackson. Jackson was able to push back Pope's army and this forced General Pope to attempt what is called a double envelope assault on Jackson's troops. The Union attack was mismanaged and resulted in a frontal attack on Jackson. Confederate General Longstreet arrived at the scene of the battle with 30,000 troops. They attacked Pope's left flank causing Pope to retreat, but a well organized retreat.The end result was that 55,000 Southern troops defeated Pope's 62,000 troops. Losses were heavy on both sides.

Related questions

What was the reaction of Confederate General Robert E Lee when units of the Army of the Potomac were being sent to reinforce General Pope?

When General Robert E. Lee learned that the Army of the Potomac was withdrawing from the Peninsula to reinforce Pope's army, Lee sought to take advantage of the fact that Richmond was safe from attack via the Peninsula. Lee concentrated most of his forces on the Rappahannock River. With this concentration, Lee sought to turn Pope's army. General Pope was unsure of Lee's intentions, as Lee had General James Longstreet troops to distract Pope. At the same time he sent Jackson's forces to attack Pope's right flank. With Pope's army thoroughly confused, Lee moved north of the Rappahannock River to gain access to supplies that had been foraging there for supplies.


Who were the leaders of the second Battle of Bull Run?

Union- John Pope Confederate- Robert E. Lee


When did Robert E Lee decide to place the full force of his army to engage Pope's Army of Virginia?

On August 14, 1862, Robert E. Lee is now convinced there is no danger from Union General McClellan as general in chief Henry Halleck has ordered McClellan to depart from the Peninsula.With Richmond no secure, Lee uses the full force of his army to begin an assault on Pope's Army of Virginia.


When was Robert Pope born?

Robert Pope was born in 1946.


What was the essence of General Robert E Lee's plan to destroy the Union forces under General John Pope?

By August 24, 1862, Robert E. Lee had developed a plan to destroy the Union forces under the command of General John Pope. Lee envisioned Stonewall Jackson with half of Lee's infantry and cavalry to swing wide to the west behind the screen of Bull Run Mountain. Jackson would go around the Union flank, come in behind Pope's forces and capture the Union supply depot at Manassas Junction. This, as with any such maneuver, would force Pope to retreat. Then Lee with James Longstreet's troops would attack Pope's retreating army.


Who defeated Robert E Lee?

Robert Smalls killed him.


What caused Confederate General Robert E Lee to send Stonewall Jackson over the Potomac River on August 31 1862?

The day after the Rebels won the Second Battle of Bull Run on August 30, 1862, Union General John Pope's disorganized army rests at Centerville, Virginia. Lee sees a chance to destroy Pope's army by sending Stonewall Jackson and JEB Stuart to cross the Bull Stream and attack pope's exposed flank. The Rebel attack fails and the Battle of Chantilly is a small Union victory. Pope then begins marching his army to Washington DC.


Who was the leader of the second bull run?

General John Pope (Union) and Robert E. Lee (confederate)


When did Robert J. Pope die?

Robert J. Pope died in 1949.


When was Robert J. Pope born?

Robert J. Pope was born in 1865.


What has the author Robert Dennis Pope written?

Robert Dennis Pope has written: 'Coleoptera'


Who was the leading general of the union during the civil war?

John Pope.... I hate history class -.- the South was Robert E Lee