Changes

By the spring of 1862 Jackson was again in the Shenandoah Valley, his diversionary tactics preventing reinforcements being sent to Major General George B. McClellan, the Union commander waging the Peninsular Campaign against the Confederate capitol of Richmond. Jackson's strategy and ultimate victory in the valley quite possibly accounted for General [[Robert E. Lee]]'s later victory in the Seven Days' Battles.  By rapid movement of his First Division (his “Foot Cavalry”), Jackson engaged with several Federal units separately and defeated them. By the end of May he had attacked General Nathaniel P. Banks, driving him out of Winchester and the Valley, and back to the Potomac River (TL 6, pg. 120).

By the spring of 1862 Jackson was again in the Shenandoah Valley, his diversionary tactics preventing reinforcements being sent to Major General George B. McClellan, the Union commander waging the Peninsular Campaign against the Confederate capitol of Richmond. Jackson's strategy and ultimate victory in the valley quite possibly accounted for General [[Robert E. Lee]]'s later victory in the Seven Days' Battles.  By rapid movement of his First Division (his “Foot Cavalry”), Jackson engaged with several Federal units separately and defeated them. By the end of May he had attacked General Nathaniel P. Banks, driving him out of Winchester and the Valley, and back to the Potomac River (TL 6, pg. 120).

He then quickly moved to the southern end of the valley, defeating the Union at Cross Keys on June 8, then at Port Republic the following day. Lee then brought Jackson's troops by road and railroad to Richmond to attack the right flank of McClellan's army. But Jackson arrived a day late, possibly because of a lack of experience in large-scale action; despite this mild tarnish to his reputation, McClellan was beaten back severely and was ordered to evacuate the peninsula.

He then quickly moved to the southern end of the valley, defeating the Union at Cross Keys on June 8, then at Port Republic the following day. Lee then brought Jackson's troops by road and railroad to Richmond to help in the series of attacks that would become the [[Seven Days' Battle]]. Possibly stemming from either fatigue from the Shenandoah Campaign or from inexperience in large scall operations, Jackson's command was conspicously late from these attacks, most notably at White Oak Swamp where, rather than using available fords to cross White Oak Swamp Creek, he chose to rebuild bridges, limiting his troops' role in the battle. Although failing on a tactical level many times in the Seven Days', the mere appearance of Jackson's troops and their continued ability when employed contributed to General McClellan's fears of the Confederate army and his retreat.

Federal forces then began regrouping under Major General John Pope when Lee joined Jackson near Manassas.  The Second Battle of Bull Run commenced when Jackson was sent to attack the rear of Pope’s forces by a wide, encircling movement, decisively beating him.  Lee then had taken his forces across the Potomac into Maryland, and to protect Richmond, Jackson was sent in mid-September to capture Harpers Ferry, which was carried out successfully, enabling him to return in time to rejoin Lee in Sharpsburg for the Battle of Antietam.  Lee lost that engagement and his forces had to journey back into Virginia.

Federal forces then began regrouping under Major General John Pope when Lee joined Jackson near Manassas.  The Second Battle of Bull Run commenced when Jackson was sent to attack the rear of Pope’s forces by a wide, encircling movement, decisively beating him.  Lee then had taken his forces across the Potomac into Maryland, and to protect Richmond, Jackson was sent in mid-September to capture Harpers Ferry, which was carried out successfully, enabling him to return in time to rejoin Lee in Sharpsburg for the Battle of Antietam.  Lee lost that engagement and his forces had to journey back into Virginia.