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July 1 - Following his withdrawal south across the Peninsula,
July 2 - Gen McClellan orders the further retreat of the Army of the Potomac to Harrison's Landing. "It was like the retreat of a whipped Army. We retreated like a parcel of sheep, and a few shots from the Rebels would have panic-stricken the whole command."Gen Hooker's evidence in Report on the Conduct of the War, page 580.
July 3 - Hon E.M. Stanton, Secretary of War
Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Harrison's Bar, July 3, 1862
I am in hopes that the enemy is as completely worn out as we are; he was certainly very severly punished in the last battle.
To accomplish the great task of capturing Richmond and putting an end to the rebellion reinforcement should be sent to me rather much over than much less than 100,000 men.
I am very respectfully your obdt svt
George B. McClellan, Maj Gen Commanding
July 4 - Maj General J.A. Dix, Commanding Fort Monroe
12m. July 4. The National salute is firing-bands are playing. The troops are in fine spirits.
July 5 - To Mary Ellen McClellan
Headquarters, Army of the Potomac,
Berkely's July 5, 3:30pm 1862
Dear Nelly. All is bright. The Army is safe and we will soon be after secesh. I hope they may attack - it will be their ruin if they do. I am very well and not so much fatigued for my mind is at rest.
GB McClellan
July 6 -To Mary Ellen McClellan
July 6 Sunday morning 2.15
Early in the evening I received the intelligence that secesh. was in full force in front of me. I have just completed my arrangements to meet him and believe that with God's blessing we will defeat him terrible. I go into this battle with the full conviction that out honor makes it necessary for me to share the fate of my army.
Tomorrow will probably determine the fate of the country - I expect to be attacked by greatly superior numbers and hope to beat them.
GB McClellan
July 7 - To Abraham Lincoln
Headquarters Army of the Potomac
Berkeley July 7 8:30am
As boat is waiting I have only time to acknowledge dispatches by Genl Marcy. Enemy have not attacked - my position is very strong and daily becoming more so - if not attacked today I shall laugh at them.
Annoy yourself as little as possible about me and don't lose confidence in this army.
GB McClellan, Maj Genl
July 8 - Special Orders
Hdqtrs Dept of Northern Virginia
July 8, 1862
The commands of Major-Generals Jackson and Longstreet will leave their present positions [in the vicinity of Harrison's Landing] at sunset, ... - Major General Jackson on the route by Rocks, crossing the White Oak Creek Bridge, and taking position on the Mechanicsville turnpike, north of Richmond.
Major General Longstreet's command will proceed by the roads by Dr. Poindexter's and Turkey Creek Bridge, and take position on Cornelius Creek, between the Central road and James River.
Maj. Gen. D.H. Hill will resume his former position near the Williamsburg road.
Major-General McLaws division will take position north of the York River Railroad.
Brigadier-General Stuart will dispose his cavalry after sunset to relieve the infantry pickets ..., while his front will keep near to and watch the movements of the enemy.
By command of General Lee
July 9 -
Front Royal, VA., July 9, 1862
Col. George D. Ruggles, Assistant Adjutant General:
Colonel: I received this early this morning from General Milroy,
dated from camp, on Jeremies River, yesterday:
From various sources of information I am led to believe that there is a considerable force at Luray (from at least 3,000 to 5,000 strong), under Generals White, Ewell, and Johnson. I will advance until I come in contact with them, when I shall await further re-enforcements.
I have replied to General Milroy that he must not bring on any general engagement until all divisions and brigades have closed up, but to ascertain the force and position of the enemy and await orders. ...Send me orders.
Robt. C. Schenck,
Brigadier General, Commanding First Corps
Headquarters Army of Virginia
Washington, July 9, 1862
Brig. Gen. Robert C. Schenk
Comdg. First Corps d'Armee, Front Royal, via Winchester, Va.:
Your dispatches have been received. The major-general commanding
does not conceive it necessary to give you instructions in the matter.
You have at least 10,000 men. The enemy, according to your own account,
have but 3,000 to 5,000. The rule to be followed is to attack the
enemy wherever you find him on the route you are ordered to pursue
unless he greatly outnumbers you. ... The general considers that there
is not sufficient foundation for the stampeding reports that have been
forwarded to him.
By command of Major-General Pope:
July 10 -
Fredericksburg, VA.,
July 10, 1862 - 12 noon.
Col E. Schriver, Chief of Staff:
Reports are current in Fredericksburg this morning that the Confederate
troops, under Stonewall Jackson, are advancing in this direction. It
is said they intend coming by Gordonsville and Orange Court-House. ...
I have sent a spy to Gordonsville, and shall dispatch a heavy cavalry
patrol up the plank road this afternoon.
Rufus King,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
July 11 - General Henry W. Halleck is appointed General-in-Chief of all the armies of the United States.
July 12 - President Lincoln signs legislation to create the Congressional Medal of Honor as an award for valor in conflict with the enemy. First instituted for the Navy in 1861, it is now authorized for award to the army. Initially given only to enlisted men, it is soon awarded to officers as well.
July 13 - Special Orders, No. 150
Hdqtrs. Dept. of Northern Virginia
July 13, 1862
Major-General Jackson, with his own and Ewell's division, will
immediately proceed to Louisa Court-House, and if practicable to
Gordonsville, there to oppose the reported advance of the enemy from
the direction of Orange Court-House.
By command of General Lee
July 14 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia
Washington, July 14, 1862
Maj. Gen. N. P. Banks,
Commanding Second Army Corps
I regret very much indeed that any orders were given to burn any railroad
bridges, great or small. The object of your movement was to preserve the
road, not to destroy any portion of it. I wish the roads kept clear and
in good order in front of you. By injuring them you are obstructing our
own movements, not those of the enemy. There is only a force of 200
infantry and a small force of cavalry at Gordonsville, nothing that
for a moment could delay the troops led forward by General Hatch.
Desire him to seize Gordonsville, and if possible, Charlottesville, as I
telegraphed you to-day. At the latter place there are large supplies
for the enemy, which had best be destroyed if it can be accomplished.
JNO. POPE
Major-General Commanding.
July 15 -
Washington, July 15, 1862
Brigadier-General Bayard,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade, Warrenton Junction:
March to-morrow with your cavalry to Culpeper Court-House, and report
for temporary service to Brigadier-General Hatch, whose headquarters
are at that place.
Irvin McDowell Major-General, Commanding.
July 16 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia
Washington, D. C., July 16, 1862
Major-General Banks, near Warrenton:
The cavalry of the Fifth Corps, under General Bayard, moves forward
today to-day to Culpeper, with orders to report to General Hatch. I
desire to push the cavalry forward boldly to the front for the purposes
I have named to you.
With such a cavalry force as Hatch now has there is the opportunity for
great successes, not against masses of the enemy, but against their
lines of supply and communication. Could we destroy the road from
Charlottesville to Lynchburg and the canal along the James River the
evacuation of Richmond is certain. Urge forward the cavalry operations
with all energy.
JNO. POPE
Major-General, Commanding.
July 17 -
Washington, July 17, 1862
Major-General McClellan, Berkeley:
There is no enemy in my front. My cavalry pickets extend 25 miles
south of Fredericksburg, and Hatch, with 2,500 men, passes through
Gordonsville to-day en route for Charlottesville. He will destroy
the Virginia Central road and the road from Charlottesville to
Lynchburg. If it be possible he will push cavalry in several
directions to James River and destroy the canal. Culpeper is
occupied by a considerable force, with Banks, Sigel, and one division
of McDowell in supporting distance.
JNO.POPE
Major-General, Commanding.
July 18 -
Headquarters, July 18, 1862
Brig. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, Commanding Cavalry
General: A letter just received from General Jackson states that from
information received he inclines to the belief that the enemy is
withdrawing from Fredericksburg, and his destination is Gordonsville
and that quarter. He is therefore moving nearer that point, and has
been obliged to withdraw his cavalry from Hanover Junction and the
protection of the railroad. Former accounts indicate a large force of
the enemy concentrated at Fredericksburg, but whether it was his
intention to move by water to re-enforce McClellan or march by land
upon Richmond was not so clear. I wish you to send some cavalry at
least as far north as Hanover Junction or the North Anna, to watch the
movements of the enemy and give protection to the railroad and country,
and endeavor to get information of the enemy at Fredericksburg.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. E. Lee,
General.
July 19 -
Washington, July 19, 1862
Major-General McClellan, Berkeley:
I have not yet heard from Hatch, and presume he has not yet met with
any considerable resistance.
There are reports in Fredericksburg and from Culpeper that Jackson is
moving on Gordonsville with a large force. It is not confirmed as yet
by any authority.
I will keep you advised.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
July 20 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia
Washington, July 20, 1862
Major-General McClellan, Berkeley:
Ewell is at Gordonsville with about 6,000 men. Jackson reported to be
at Louisa Court-House with 25,000.
My advance posts are at Culpeper and Madison Court-House. It is
certain that a considerable force of the enemy is along Virginia
Central Railroad west of Hanover Junction.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
July 21 -
Berkeley, VA., July 21, 1862 - 9 a.m.
Major-General Pope,
Commanding Army of Virginia:
Your dispatch of 19th received. The information in regard to Jackson's
movement on Gordonsville reaches me through so many sources that I
think it worthy of your closest attention.
Geo. B. McClellan,
Major-General, Commanding.
July 22 -
Warrenton, July 22, 1862
Colonel Ruggles,
Chief of Staff, Washington:
I received from General Bayard this morning a note dated yesterday at
Culpeper Court-House, stating that General Hatch had returned to that
place that day, having found it impossible to advance any further than
Orange Court-House. Jackson with Ewell are reported to be at
Gordonsville.
Irvin McDowell,
Major-General.
July 23 - Report of Col. William W. Averell, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, Commanding Cavalry Brigade
Headquarters First Cavalry Brigade
Westover, July 23, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to report that yesterday nothing of interest
occurred on the first Long Bridge Road.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
Wm. W. Averell,
Colonel, Commanding.
July 24 -
Falmouth, July 24, 1862
Colonel Schriver:
By permission of General Pope I have sent out a light column this p.m.
in the direction of the Orange Court-House and Gordonsville to ascertain
if possible what force the enemy have there. I expect to hear from them
by Saturday.
Rufus King,
Brigadier-General.
July 25 - General Halleck, General-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States, visits General McClellan at Harrison's Landing, to determine the fate of the Army of the Potomac.
July 26 -
Headquarters Army of Virginia
Washington, D.C., July 26, 1862.
Major-General Halleck,
Care of General Dix, Berkeley or Fort Monroe:
The enemy is massing in large force at Louisa Court-House and
Gordonsville. The divisions of Jackson, Ewell, Hill, and Longstreet
are already there. The strength of these divisions cannot be ascertained.
The whole force of the enemy now in the neighborhood will not fall
short of 35,000. They have as yet made no forward movement, but probably
will attempt one soon. As soon as the troops under Burnside and Stevens
are brought to Acquia Creek, if they should be brought, I will unite the
division at Fredericksburg with the other division of McDowell's corps
on the Upper Rappahannock.
JNO. POPE,
Major-General.
July 27 -
Hdqrs. Dept. of Northern Virginia
July 27, 1862
Special Orders, No. 164.
Maj. Gen. A.P. Hill, with his division, will proceed by railroad with
the least possible delay to join Maj. Gen. T. J. Jackson at Gordons-
ville, Va.
By command of General R. E. Lee
July 28 -
Washington, D.C.,
July 27, 1862
Special Orders, No. 25.
Brig. Gen. J.P. Hatch, U.S. Volunteers, is relieved from duty with the
Second Corps d'Armee, and will report, without delay, for duty to
Brigadier-General King, commanding at Fredericksburg.
Brig. Gen. John Buford, jr., U.S. Volunteers, will report for duty as
chief of cavalry to Major-General Banks, commanding Second Corps d'Armee.
By command of Major-General Pope
July 29 - General Pope departs Washington, D.C., to take command of the Army of Virginia in the field.
July 30 -
Hdqrs. Department of Northern Virginia,
July 30, 1862
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, Commanding Cavalry:
General: I hear through many sources that the Federal forces are
arresting all the male citizens in Fredericksburg and its neighborhood,
thereby causing great distress and alarm among our people in that
region. Please give what protection you can to the families of our
citizens and every facility in your power to get within our lines.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R.E.Lee
July 31 -
Headquarters Valley District
Near Mechanicsville, 5 miles from Gordonsville, July 31, 1862.
Col. T.T. Munford, Commanding Cavalry:
Colonel: I am directed by Major-General Jackson to reply to yours of
this instant.
Secure Liberty Mills Bridge. Report to Brigadier-General Robertson for
orders, but until you hear from him act as you have been.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
Wm. L. Jackson,
Aide-de-Camp.
P.S. - You will see where General Jackson is heading.
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