The creation and organization of a new army out of remnants or other armies is always problematic. When the Army of Virginia was first put together, Union General John Pope was given three main corps that had never operated together. And there were issues of morale. All three corps had been harassed and beaten by Stonewall Jackson earlier in the year. Added to this were the corps received from the dissembled Army of the Potomac.
The first name of what would become the Army of Northern Virginia was the Confederate Army of the Potomac. That was in 1861. As early 1862 came about the name was changed to the Army of Northern Virginia.
Major General John Pope commanded the Federal Army of Virginia at the Second Battle of Manassas August 28-30, 1862.
The Battle of Antietam was in Maryland in 1862. Robert E. Lee's army, the Army of Northern Virginia, took on heavy casualties. He had little choice but to retreat back to Virginia.
General Robert E. Lee planned and led the Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River and into Maryland. On September 17, 1862, his army the Union's Army of the Potomac would engage each other in the Battle of Antietam.
Based on his performance at the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862, Brigadier General A. P. Hill was promoted to major general. Hill had been a USMA (West Point ) graduate. He would see action in major battles in Virginia throughout the war.
Army of Northern Virginia (1861-1862),
On August 8, 1862, John Pope's Army of Virginia was positioned in Virginia. Although Stonewall Jackson was able to assault Pope and reduce his army, it was not enough to prevent Pope from remaining a threat to Richmond.
Robert E. Lee
The first name of what would become the Army of Northern Virginia was the Confederate Army of the Potomac. That was in 1861. As early 1862 came about the name was changed to the Army of Northern Virginia.
Major General John Pope commanded the Federal Army of Virginia at the Second Battle of Manassas August 28-30, 1862.
Fredericksburg, in Virginia. December, 1862.
The failure of the Peninsula campaign of 1862 placed the Union in a serious situation. No matter how quickly the Army of the Potomac could reach northern Virginia or Washington DC, this would allow General Robert E. Lee the initiative to focus and concentrate on Pope's army.
Actually Albert S. Johnston never commanded the Army of Northern Virginia. He was in the western theatre of the war, commanding the Confederate Army of the Mississippi. Joseph E. Johnstonbriefly had command of the Army of Northern Virginia until he was wounded at the battle of Seven Pines on May 31, 1862. This Johnston was then replaced by Robert E. Lee, on June 1, 1862.
Major General Irvin McDowell actually had two stints as commander of the Union Army. The first was from March 13, 1862 until April 4, 1862. The second was from June 26, 1862 _ September 5, 1862.
The Battle of Antietam was in Maryland in 1862. Robert E. Lee's army, the Army of Northern Virginia, took on heavy casualties. He had little choice but to retreat back to Virginia.
General Robert E. Lee planned and led the Army of Northern Virginia across the Potomac River and into Maryland. On September 17, 1862, his army the Union's Army of the Potomac would engage each other in the Battle of Antietam.
Based on his performance at the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862, Brigadier General A. P. Hill was promoted to major general. Hill had been a USMA (West Point ) graduate. He would see action in major battles in Virginia throughout the war.