Confederate Armies & Departments in the Eastern Theater
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The Army of Northern Virginia under General Robert E. Lee launched an invasion of the North into Maryland, but it came to an early end when a copy of his invasion plans fell into McClellan’s hands. Although Jackson successfully captured the Union forces at Harper’s Ferry, the campaign ended after the Battle of South Mountain followed by the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single day of fighting of the Civil War. Lee was forced to retreat back to Virginia. | |
The Department of Richmond had been established on August 30, 1862 under the command of Major General Gustavus Smith to command the troops Lee was leaving behind to cover Richmond while he marched north to deal with Pope. |