Pope Takes Command - August 1862

As General John Pope rode away from his impromptu inspection of the brigade he sat securely in his saddle. This was no desk bound General, he was here for victory and would provide the inspiration the army needed. Confident in his own abilities he knew, without doubt, that he would repeat his success in the west here in Virginia. For a moment he recalled his words so eloquently communicated on his arrival. In particular:

"I hear constantly of "taking strong positions and holding them," of "lines of retreat," and of "bases of supplies." Let us discard such ideas. The strongest position a soldier should desire to occupy is one from which he can most easily advance against the enemy. Let us study the probable lines of retreat of our opponents, and leave our own to take care of themselves."

The army was deployed just north of Rappahannock Station on the 22nd August having been unable to prevent the crossing of the Rappahannock by Lee the previous day. General Pope had at his immediate disposal elements two corps from the Army of Virginia. Firstly, there was McDowall's III Corps which consisted of King's and Rickett's Divisions. These divisions deployed astride the main road facing south. Also from the Army of Virginia, and extending McDowell's right, was Reynold's 3rd Division an advanced division of Franz Sigel's I Corps. Yet to arrive was the remaining two divisions of Sigel's Corps. Further reinforcements would comprise Heintzelman's III Corps drawn from the Army of the Potomac. Once those elements of his forces immediately available were fully concentrated, Pope would have at his disposal 37,500 bayonets, 1,000 cavalry and 120 cannon. When deployed Pope was immensely confident he could move to the attack.

Opposite, General Lee was building up his own army - having slipped north after giving General McClellan such a drubbing on the Peninsula. By noon Lee had deployed five strong infantry divisions and one cavalry division drawn from Longstreet's and Jackson's Wings. It was true the army was dispersed but the concentration was significant. Longstreet commanded the Confederate centre and left and Jackson the right. 

Above, Anderson's Division from Longstreet's Wing. This division was one of two that formed the Confederate centre.

It should be noted that the Confederate infantry division deployed were typically stronger than a corresponding Union division. As a result Confederate Divisions often had more brigades and each brigade frequently contained a great number of bayonets. In addition further Confederate reinforcements were expected, but how many were not yet clear to General Pope.

The centre of the battlefield was relatively open each side of the road that was north of Rappahannock Station Road. To the west, the Union right, the flat plain gave way to higher ground much of which was covered in thick woods. To the east of the road a meandering stream restricted the expected battlefield further. Soon after noon General Longstreet's Wing advanced, particularly that on the left which comprised Kemper's Division and Stuart's Cavalry Division. Stuart's cavalry, having dismounted, moved through the thickets on the high ground supported by some of Kemper's brigades. Clearly Longstreet intended to fall on the Union right before General Pope was concentrated.

Pope, never one to easily fall back, ordered his right to advance. Reynolds Division, the 3rd Division of Sigel's Corps, moved forward with drums beating at flags taught in the August wind. Elements of Rufus King's Division, from McDowall's Corps moved to support the advance. 

Above, 2nd and 3rd Brigades of Reynolds Division advance on Stuart's dismounted cavalry, represented by linear infantry.

Yet Reynolds, no sooner having entered the thickets, fell back! Pope was furious, what was going on? Realising only his presence on the flank would bring victory he personally moved to the area of the fighting. Soon, Pope realised the retrograde movement by Reynolds was due to the advancing brigades of Kemper's Division.

Kemper and Stuart now conducted a determined and prolonged series of attacks on the Union right. Equally determined was Reynolds' counterattacks often directed by Pope at great personal risk. Over several hours of fighting Kemper's and Stuart's Divisions would be heavily engaged. 

Above and below views of the action on the Union right. That below shows more of the general situation of the centre and Union right. The Union centre is cautiously deployed while Pope directs an attack on Stuart's dismounted cavalry deployed on the edge of the wooded high ground.

Kemper was however far from done. Clearing the wooded high ground his brigades attacked with unprecedented elan. Below, Pickett's and Jenkin's Brigades attack elements of Reynolds Division, though they were driven back.

Further, to keep the momentum of attack going, Longstreet extended his attack with Wilcox's Division. Now, across the Union right the smoke was thick as rifled musket and cannon fumed death and destruction. Yet despite the smoke repeatedly the attacks were driven home with the close range musketry and, on occasion, the bayonet.

Above and below the situation on the Union centre and right as Wilcox's Division extends the attack.

Yet fighting was not confined to the Union right. Soon after the fighting on the right was joined Union reinforcements began to pour on to the field. These comprised the remaining two divisions of Sigel's Corps as well as the two divisions of Heintzelman's Corps. Pope, rather than move them to support the battle on the right ordered them to his left.

Sigel's Corps was of mixed quality. That deployed on the right, under Reynolds and heavily engaged, was of good quality. In contrast that committed to the left,  Schenek's and Schurz's Divisions, were of unknown quality and struggled to manoeuvre (M4, PT). Franz Sigel would clearly have his work cut out. Worse was the Union cavalry which were of dubious quality and Sigel was recorded by an officer as saying "Zees fools are better suited to be dispatch riders than any use on zee battlefield!" Despite this the Union left was committed to the offensive, it pressed Jackson's wing deployed on both sides of the meandering creek that previously had denoted the Union left.

Above, the fighting on the Union left. Here, the six brigades of Heintzelman's Corps, organised into two divisions are engaged. In the foreground Kearney's Division, supported by Breadsley's dismounted Cavalry Brigade from Sigel's Corps. In the distance is Hooker's Division. They are engaged against Tailiiaferro's Division from Jackson's Wing, while A.P Hill's Light Division can be advancing in support - top right.

The fighting on the Union left was like that on the right - confusing. Hooker's Division of Heintzelman's Corps and Schurz's Division from Sigel's Corps both suffered heavy casualties. Of Jacksons three divisions Taliiaferro's Division suffered heavy casualties, with the brigades of Starke's and Jackson's old brigade suffering the worst. 

Below, a general view of the Union left an hour later. Ewell's Division, also from Jackson's Wing is visible on the right across the stream. This division was not engaged until later in the battle and then by Sigel's Divisions.

However, it was on the Confederate left that the butcher's bill escalated to unprecedented levels. Longstreet continued to attack, often with the slimmest of advantage, desperate to achieve a breakthrough. The breakthrough he hoped for was elusive. By 6pm the divisions of Wilcox and Kemper had collapsed and Stuart's small cavalry division was exhausted. Old Pete, it seemed, had thrown caution to the wind and paid a heavy price for his aggressiveness. Lee was left with no choice but to retire his left collapsing his right on the defensive and his centre weakened.

Pope however was pleased though not surprised, ever confident in his abilities. General McClellan may have been beaten by General Lee but as he predicted Western Generals knew how to fight. Now it was on to Richmond!

The engagement was of course fictional one fought as a multiplayer game with two players on each side. The armies were drawn from those that were historically engaged a few days later at Second Manassas, where our miniature Union hero of course failed miserably. The scenario was developed using the Volley & Bayonet Road to Glory Scenario System with each army comprising just 3,000 points of troops. Miniatures are from the Heroics and Ros 6mm range and are from my own collection. They are based at half scale where one inch on the table represents 200 yards while each infantry brigade represents 1,500 to 2,500 men.