1. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign May-June 1862
The American Civil War
Mr. Contipodero

2. The Game of Chance
“His name might be Audacity. He will take more chances, and take them quicker than any other general in this country.” - Confederate Colonel Joseph Ives, speaking of Robert E. Lee in June 1862

3. Peninsula and Valley Campaigns in Virginia
Spring 1862
McClellan planned to flank the South avoiding frontal attack
Confederate General Johnston moved south to Culpeper protect Richmond
Painted black logs – Northern embarrassment
McClellan relieved as general in chief

4. Deception

5. Is Richmond that important?
McClellan’s plan
Go further south with army to Fort Monroe
Advantages of proximity to Richmond
Compel Confederates to go southeast – away from D.C.
Disadvantages
Richmond is objective not Southern army
Washington?
McClellan promised to leave enough troops near D.C.

6. The Confederate Capital

7. Indifferences McClellan did not leave enough troops in D.C.
He moved to Richmond
April = 70,000 troops + 30,000 more to come while only facing 17,000 Confederates
McClellan settled near Yorktown for a siege
Confederate General Magruder
Shifted troops and artillery to show he had more supplies than he did

8. The Siege at Yorktown

9. Lincoln to McClellan
“It is indispensable to you that you strike a blow…I have never written you, or spoken to you, in a greater kindness of feeling now, nor with a fuller purpose to sustain you…BUT YOU MUST ACT!”
Johnston shifted troops to peninsula
McClellan failed to act

10. The Odd Couple

11. The Failure of McClellan
“No one but McClellan could have hesitated to attack.” - General Joseph Johnston

12. Confederate Movement By May, 1862 McClellan’s siege guns ready
Johnston’s movement toward Richmond
Heavy rain and road blocks

13. Set Up for McClellan
Union navy defeated at Drewry’ Bluff (7 miles below Richmond)
May 20, 1862
Johnston 60,000 Confederates set up defensive line
McClellan 100,000 Union troops
Asked for more
Stanton estimated 150,000 confederates

14. Drewry’ Bluff

15. Checkpoint
In your notebooks, create a timeline of events titled, “The Spring of 1862”
Make sure to explain the events of the Union and Confederate armies
Finally, answer this question, “What do you think will happen next?”

16. Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley
Robert E. Lee suggestion to Jackson:
Prevent reinforcements to Richmond
Prevent General McDowell from reinforcing McClellan
Jackson’s zigzag movements
Marched so fast they were called, “Jackson’s foot cavalry”
Was secretive about movements to prevent leaks
Eventually wore on his troops
Captured wagons, supplies, medicine, guns, and horses

17. Map of Shenandoah Valley

18. Lincoln’s Plan To defeat Jackson: Plan failed – not quick enough
Send 20,000 of McDowell’s forces to Strasburg (Jackson’s rear)
Fremont’s 15,000 to Harrisonburg to block Jackson
Banks to reorganize and recross the Potomac River – pursue Jackson from North
Plan failed – not quick enough

19. Union Failure Fremont approached Strasburg from west not south
Union forces slowed by muddy roads
Confederate cavalry beat Union horseman to 3 key bridges
Burned bridges that delayed Shields and Fremont

20. “Stonewall”

21. History Recognizes Jackson
Jackson’s valley campaign
Still studies in military schools today
Proved a small army utilizing geography and mobility can achieve victory
Especially over larger divided armies
May 8-June 8
Jackson’s 17,000 men marched 350 miles
Won 4 battles against armies doubled their size
Inflicted twice as many casualties as suffered

22. Jackson Streak of Victories
Lincoln suspended plans 3 times
McDowell to reinforce McClellan – all due to Jackson
McClellan
“had the command of General McDowell joined the Army of the Potomac in the month of May…we would have had Richmond within a week.”