Metro East Gaming Association

The Fall Campaign in Virginia, 1862

Brief chronology of events

• July 31, 1862
  • McClellan receives orders to cease attacks on Richmond, pull forces back to assist Pope.
  
  
• August 1, Good weather
  • Army of the Valley (VI Corps) begins move on Mt. Jackson.
  
  
• August 2, light rain
  • Pope probes toward Sperryville with IV Corps and Culpepper with VIIth.
  • Lee shifts three Divisions north toward Fredericksburg
  
  
• August 3, good weather
  • Jackson probes toward Warrenton with 7th Division. 6th Division arrives by train in Culpepper. Sperryville reinforced by an additional brigade. Majority of Confederate forces leave Richmond headed toward Fredericksburg.
  • Pope pulls IV Corps back toward Warrenton. VII Corps pulls back toward Manassas
  
  
• August 4, showers
  • Battle of Sperryville
  • Jackson pulls 7th Division back toward Culpepper. 8th Division arrives by train in Culpepper. 2nd Division diverts toward Culpepper. Richmond garrison ordered out to hold McClellan in place.
  • VII Corps ordered to Warrenton to reinforce IV Corps. McClellan loads two Divisions on transports to Aquia Creek.
  
  
• August 5, showers
  • 6th Division moves toward Manassas, crosses Rappahanoch.
  • IV and VII Corps concentrate in Warrenton
  
  
• August 6, showers
  • 6th Division advances to observe junction SE of Warrenton. 8th Division moves to reinforce it 4th Division arrives in Fredericksburg. 9th Division abandons Sperryville and moves toward Culpepper.
  • Transports unload two Divisions of I Corps at Aquia Creek. Iv and VII Corps abandon Warrenton and march toward Manassas. Observe confederates on their flank. Mt. Jackson and Moorefield occupied by Army of the Valley.
  
  
• August 7, showers
  • 8th Division reinforces 6th near crossroads. They watch US forces march by toward Manassas. 5th Division in Fredericksburg. 7th Division moves toward Warrenton. Remainder of CS forces moving to concentrate at Culpepper.
  • VII Corps pauses to confront confederates SE of Warrenton. IV Corps continues march toward Manassas. McClellan's two Divisions of I Corps start moving west, harassed by cavalry.
  
  
• August 8, showers
  • 6th Division moves to occupy crossroads SE of Warrenton as federals leave. 7th Division occupies Warrenton. 9th moves to reinforce it.
  • McClellan moves his Divisions back to Aquia Creek. V Corps joins IV Corps at Manassas. VII Corps forms SW of Manassas to delay confederates.
  
  
• August 9, Light rain
  • Fredericksburg abandoned. 9th Division moves on Front Royal. 6th, 7th, and 8th Divisions in Warrenton. Remainder of confederates near Culpepper.
  • McClellan loads two more Divisions and cavalry to move to Aquia Creek. Pope concentrates at Manassas
  
  
• August 10, showers - fords all flooded due to long period of rain storms.
  • 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Divisions advance on Front royal. Rest of forces near Culpepper.
  • McClellan unloads remainder of I Corps at Aquia Creek. They begin push west. Rest of force on transports sent to Washington. Pope concentrated at Manassas.
  
  
• August 11, showers
  • Battle of Front Royal
  • Confederates occupy Front Royal. 8th Division pushes toward Strausburg. Forces at Culpepper begin moving toward Front Royal.
  • I Corps continues west. IV Corps dispatched toward Front Royal. Remainder of federals on transports diverted to Aquia Creek and unload. Mt. Jackson and Moorefield abandoned.
  
  
• August 12, good weather
  • Position at Front Royal consolidated. Cavalry occupy Mt. Jackson.
  • I Corps' advance blocked by flooded fords. IV Corps, followed by V Corps continue toward Front Royal. VII Corps moves on Warrenton.
  
  
• August 13, good weather
  • 6th, 7th, and 8th Divisions occupy Strausburg.
  • IV Corps occupies Thoroughfare gap. V and VII Corps advance on Warrenton. I Corps delayed at fords. III Corps moves to reinforce them. More forces load on transports South of Richmond. Army of the Valley moves to concentrate at Winchester.
  
  
• August 14, good weather
  • CS forces move from Strausburg move toward Harpers Ferry. Remainder of forces are approaching Front Royal.
  • V and VII Corps occupy Warrenton. I Corps finally gets across fords and advances on the now abandoned Culpepper.
  
  
• August 15, good weather
  • 6th Division occupies Berryville. 8th Division threatens Winchester. 5th Division faces attempted federal advance west of Warrenton.
  • I Corps occupies Culpepper, destroys supply depot there. IV Corps moves to strike confederates west of Warrenton. V and VII Corps delayed by confederate threat. Army of the Valley moves to reinforce Harpers Ferry but blocked by cavalry. Two Divisions of II Corps unload at Washington.
  
  
• August 16, good weather
  • Battle of Harpers Ferry
  • 5th Division in Front Royal. Remainder of confederate forces are in the Valley.
  • Army of the Valley concentrated at Winchester. I and III Corps continue to destroy Culpepper. Federals follow confederate forces to Front Royal, delayed by cavalry.
  
  
• August 17, good weather
  • 6th and 8th Divisions occupy Harpers Ferry, capture supply depot. Remainder of forces at Berryville and Strausburg.
  • II Corps on trains toward Frederick. II Corps moves toward Warrenton. V Corps occupies Front Royal. IV and VII Corps strung out between Front Royal and Leesburg. Last of McClellan's forces load transports. Area near Richmond abandoned by federals.
  
  
• August 18, hot
  • 9th Division occupies Martinsburg. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Divisions threaten Winchester. Cavalry pickets passes and Front Royal area.
  • II Corps in Frederick. III Corps in Warrenton. I Corps moves toward Front Royal, V Corps moves toward Leesburg. Army of the Valley abandons Winchester and moves toward Romney.
  
  
• August 19, hot
  • 8th Division advances 8 miles west of Harpers Ferry, invades Maryland. 2nd Division occupies Winchester.
  • II Corps pushes toward Harpers Ferry. I Corps diverts toward Leesburg.
  
  
• August 20 good weather
  • 3rd Cavalry advances to outskirts of Fredrick. 6th and 7th Divisions reinforce 8th inside Maryland. Remainder of army converges on Harpers Ferry.
  • Army of the Valley in Romney. II Corps advances SW of Fredrick, leaving western road open. McClellan boards train to Fredrick. Holds gun to engineers head to force him to drive into town.
  
  
• August 21 good weather
  • Battle of First Fredrick
  • 6th, 7th and 8th Divisions pull into Fredrick behind US forces. 9th Division presses them from the SW. McClellan captured by 3rd cavalry. Jackson killed leading a charge.
  • II Corps and reserve artillery mauled. Saved by arrival of their 2nd Division. IV Corps crosses Potomac south of Fredrick. Pennsylvania Militia called out - Muster in at Chambersburg and Carlisle.
  
  
• August 22 good weather
  • Army concentrated in Harpers Ferry and Fredrick. 1st Cavalry assigned to Watch Army of the Valley
  • IV Corps takes blocking positions on major roads to Baltimore and Washington. Remainder of army moving to and through Leesburg. General Pope placed in charge of entire force.
  
  
• August 23 showers
  • Forces remain in Fredrick. Longstreet's Corps moves on Boonsboro.
  • VII Corps crosses Potomac. Pennsylvania Militia converges on Gettysburg. Army of the Valley approaching Williamsport.
  
  
• August 24 showers
  • Longstreet's Corps moves on and occupies Hagerstown. Jackson's Corps in Fredrick moves north toward Gettysburg. 4th and 5th Divisions remain in vicinity of Harpers Ferry.
  • VII Corps advances toward Harpers Ferry. V Corps crosses Potomac. I Corps diverts one Division toward Harpers Ferry.
  
  
• August 25 good weather
  • Both Jackson and Longstreet's Corps reverse direction. Jackson concentrates near Fredrick, Longstreet East of Harpers Ferry. 1st Cavalry captures Chambersburg, moves toward Gettysburg.
  • IV Corps concentrates at Westminister. VII, II, and V Corps push toward Harpers Ferry. I Corps concentrated near Leesburg.
  
  
• August 26 good weather
  • Battle of Twelve Mile Station
  • 3 Divisions 8 miles East of Harpers Ferry, 5 Divisions 12 miles East. 6th Division in Fredrick.
  • Army of the Valley arrives in Williamsport. Majority of US forces (II, III, V, and VII Corps) 16 miles South of Fredrick after battle. IV Corps boards trains for Pennsylvania. Two Divisions of I Corps cross Potomac.
  
  
• August 27 showers
  • 4000 wounded and recruits, with supply train, leave Front Royal for Harpers Ferry. Most of force stays in place. 6th Division moves South to observe major US concentration.
  • Union army remains in place. IV Division detrains and marches toward Fredrick. I Corps 1st Division watches fords ESE of Harpers Ferry.
  
  
• August 28 showers
  • Army begins to spread out. 2nd Division in Martinsburg. 1st Division in Fredrick. 8th in Harpers Ferry. Remainder of army between Fredrick and Harpers Ferry.
  • Army of the Valley arrives in Hagerstown. Pope, with a reinforced VII Corps move to 8 miles South of Fredrick. Remainder of army stays in place.
  
  
• August 29 showers
  • 2nd and 8th Divisions in Martinsburg. 1st, 5th, and 9th just north of Fredrick. 5th and reserve artillery moving to Martinsburg. Remainder of army remains 8 miles east of Harpers Ferry. 1st Cavalry invades Carlisle.
  • Army of the Valley advances East from Hagerstown. Majority of Union Army stretched from East of Fredrick to the Potomac. I Corps 2nd Division advances to Waterford.
  
  
• August 30 showers
  • Reinforcements and supply train arrive in Harpers Ferry. 2nd Division advances on Williamsport. Concentration 8 miles East of Harpers Ferry breaks up with troops moving toward Boonsboro and Fredrick. 1st Cavalry threatens Harrisburg
  • V Corps boards trains for Pennsylvania. Army of the Valley countermarches through Hagerstown toward Gettysburg. I Corps 2nd Division advances on Berryville.
  
  
• August 31 Light rain
  • 3rd, 6th, and 8th Divisions in Boonsboro. One brigade of 8th Division moves on Winchester. 1st, 5th and 9th Divisions advance toward Pennsylvania, abandon Fredrick. Road to Harpers Ferry left open
  • I Corps 2nd Division advances on Harpers Ferry from Berryville. V Corps arrives in Gettysburg, as does the Army of the Valley (now designated VI Corps). II Corps and one Division of I Corps move toward Washington. VII and IV Corps to East of Fredrick. III Corps 12 miles East of Harpers Ferry.
  
  
• September 1 showers
  • Battle of Second Harpers Ferry
  • 4th Division, reinforcements, and two other brigades in Harpers Ferry throw back union assault from two directions. 8th and 2nd Divisions advance on Berryville. 1st, 5th and 9th remain 12 miles North of Fredrick. Fredrick itself held by cavalry.
  • I Corps 2nd Division falls back from Harpers Ferry. III Corps 4 miles East of Harpers Ferry after the battle. II Corps arrives in Washington. 5th and 6th Corps in Gettysburg. IV and VII remain East and NE of Fredrick.
  
  
• September 2 hot
  • Battle of Berryville
    
  • Battle of Crofton
  • 1st, 5th and 9th Divisions throw back union attempt to cross river NE of Fredrick at Crofton. 2nd and 8th Divisions capture I Corps 2nd Division near Berryville. 3rd, 5th and 7th advance on Fredrick from Boonsboro.
  • Most forces remain in place
  
  
• September 3 good weather
  • 3rd, 5th and 7th Divisions divert to south of Fredrick near the Potomac. Remainder stay in place to clean up after battles.
  • Union hold line from East of Fredrick to the Potomac with the III, VII, and IV Corps. II Corps loads on trains in Washington.
  
  
• September 4 good weather
  • Entire army on a line from just North of Fredrick SW to the Potomac.
  • V Corps advances on Hagerstown. II Corps arrives in Gettysburg.
  
  
• September 5 good weather
  • Army remains in place.
  • V Corps advances through Hagerstown toward Boonsboro. VI Corps advances toward Fredrick from Gettysburg.
  
  
• September 6 good weather
  • Battle of Briar's Mill
  • Battle of Second Fredrick
  • 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th Divisions brush aside the union IV Corps and cross the river SE of Fredrick. 2nd and 8th Divisions push back federal attempt to push across river 12 miles South of Fredrick.
  • VI Corps moves to 4 miles NE of Fredrick, followed by the II and V Corps. III and VII Corps 8 miles SE of Fredrick.
  
  
• September 7 good weather
  • Battle of Third Fredrick
    
  • Battle of Parr's Ridge
  • 3rd, 6th and 7th Divisions allow union forces through Fredrick and across the river in the battle of third Fredrick. 5th and 9th Divisions push back three union Corps at Parrs Ridge 12 miles ESE of Fredrick. 1st Division moves behind Parrs Ridge to block any union retreat. 2nd and 8th Divisions 12 miles South of Fredrick near the Potomac.
  • II and elements of VI Corps push across river to South of Fredrick. III, IV, and VII Corps pushed back into pass at Parrs Ridge. V Corps still north of Fredrick. I Corps 20 miles NW of Washington watching major enemy concentration near the Potomac.
  
  
• September 8 good weather
  • Battle of Waterloo
  • 1st, 5th, and 9th Divisions capture three union Corps near the village of Waterloo. 2nd, 4th and 8th Divisions push toward Washington. 6th and 7th move to support forces near Parr's Ridge.
  • III, IV, and VII Corps, and general Pope captured near the village of Waterloo. Sumner given command of the army. II and V Corps pushes toward Westminister. VI Corps in Fredrick. I Corps remains in place.
  
  
• September 9 good weather
  • 2nd, 4th and 8th Divisions, with the reserve artillery, push to within 8 miles of Washington. Remainder of army concentrated 16 miles WSW of Westminister.
  • I Corps falls back toward Washington. One Division into the city and one crosses the Potomac west of the city. II, V, and VI Corps concentrate North of confederates between Fredrick and Westminister.
  
  
• September 10 good weather
  • Battle of Ellicott City
  • 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 9th Divisions push back union attack at Ellicott City, 24 miles East of Baltimore. 2nd, 4th and 8th Divisions move to 8 miles North of Washington.
  • I Corps in Washington. V and VI Corps near Westminister. II Corps 8 miles SE of Fredrick.
  
  
• September 11 good weather
  • 2nd, 4th and 8th Divisions, with the reserve artillery, recruit Maryland Citizens into their forces to the NE of Washington. Remainder of the army begins to move south to reinforce them. 2nd Cavalry moves to destroy bridge over river to NE of Washington, but unable to destroy the iron bridge.
  • II Corps moves toward Leesburg. V and VI Corps concentrate at Westminister. I Corps 3rd Division reinforces fort on outskirts of the Capital.
  
  
• September 12 good weather
  • All but three Confederate Divisions within 12 miles of Washington. Recruitment continues.
  • II Corps reaches Leesburg. V and VI Corps remain at Westminister.
  
  
• September 13 hot
  • Battle of Fort Franklin
  • 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Divisions attack and capture Fort Franklin held by a small federal force. 6th, 7th, and 9th Divisions cross Potomac West of Washington to block federals from reinforcing the capital.
  • II Corps force marches toward Washington. I Corps reinforces garrison to NE of Capital. VI Corps moves south from Westminister. V Corps remains there.
  
  
• September 14 good weather
  • Battle of Washington
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th Divisions attack and capture city of Washington in a huge battle. 6th, 7th, and 9th form blocking force south of the Potomac.
  • Heavy works around the Washington breached and the capital captured. Bureaucrats with pistols hold off a determined rebel charge before being slaughtered. All federal forces cease resistance. Confederate flag flies over the capital building.