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The '''Second Battle of Bull Run''' or '''Second Manassas''', was fought August 28-30, 1862 during the [[American Civil War]] near Manassas, Virginia, involving the Army of Northern Virginia under Confederate General [[Robert E. Lee]], and the Union's Army of Virginia under Major General John Pope.  Lee's overwhelming victory did much to enhance his reputation as a battlefield commander.

The '''Second Battle of Bull Run''' or '''Second Manassas''', was fought August 28-30, 1862 during the [[American Civil War]] near Manassas, [[Virginia]], involving the Army of Northern Virginia under Confederate General [[Robert E. Lee]], and the Union's Army of Virginia under Major General [[John Pope]].  Lee's overwhelming victory did much to enhance his reputation as a battlefield commander.

==Prelude==

==Prelude==

The first to arrive was Maj. Gen. John Pope, who was appointed on 26 June 1862 to command a new creation, the Army of Virginia. This force was composed of the various hitherto-independent commands that had operated to such little effect in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley that spring. Many of the units collectively had experienced a severe hammering from Stonewall Jackson while others were suffering from lack of discipline and poor leadership. General Pope was followed on 11 July by Maj. Gen. [[Henry W. Halleck]], who was appointed General in Chief with directing authority over both Pope and Maj. Gen. [[George B. McClellan]], commanding the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula.  

The first to arrive was Maj. Gen. John Pope, who was appointed on 26 June 1862 to command a new creation, the Army of Virginia. This force was composed of the various hitherto-independent commands that had operated to such little effect in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley that spring. Many of the units collectively had experienced a severe hammering from Stonewall Jackson while others were suffering from lack of discipline and poor leadership. General Pope was followed on 11 July by Maj. Gen. [[Henry W. Halleck]], who was appointed General in Chief with directing authority over both Pope and Maj. Gen. [[George B. McClellan]], commanding the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula.  

The 26 June orders creating the Army of Virginia specified that it should "operate in such manner as while protecting Western Virginia and the national capital from danger or insult, it shall in the speediest manner attack and overcome the rebel force under Jackson and Ewell, threaten the enemy in the direction of Charlottesville and render the most effective aid to relieve Gen. McClellan and capture Richmond."  

The 26 June orders creating the Army of Virginia specified that it should "operate in such manner as while protecting Western Virginia and the national capital from danger or insult, it shall in the speediest manner attack and overcome the rebel force under Jackson and Ewell, threaten the enemy in the direction of Charlottesville and render the most effective aid to relieve Gen. McClellan and capture [[Richmond]]."  

General Pope knew by the time he received his orders that Jackson had left the Valley and was with Lee near Richmond. Thus he saw his mission as covering Washington from any attacks from the direction of Richmond while deploying to assure the safety of the Valley. He felt further that he should position himself to pull Southern troops away from Richmond, thus indirectly aiding McClellan. Pope believed these objectives could be met best by concentrating his scattered forces in the Sperryville-Warrenton area. Doing so allowed him to safeguard the approaches to the Valley. At the same time his position threatened the important railroad and depot center at Gordonsville, virtually forcing Lee to send troops from Richmond to protect it.  

General Pope knew by the time he received his orders that Jackson had left the Valley and was with Lee near Richmond. Thus he saw his mission as covering Washington from any attacks from the direction of Richmond while deploying to assure the safety of the Valley. He felt further that he should position himself to pull Southern troops away from Richmond, thus indirectly aiding McClellan. Pope believed these objectives could be met best by concentrating his scattered forces in the Sperryville-Warrenton area. Doing so allowed him to safeguard the approaches to the Valley. At the same time his position threatened the important railroad and depot center at Gordonsville, virtually forcing Lee to send troops from Richmond to protect it.  

* [[American Civil War: 1862]]

* [[American Civil War: 1862]]

[[Category: American Civil War Battles]]

[[Category: American Civil War Battles]]