Army of Virginia (USA) - Facts

June 26–September 12, 1862

Key facts about the Union Army of Virginia.

Portrait of John Pope

On June 26, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln ordered the consolidation forces commanded by John C. Frémont, Nathaniel Banks, and Irvin McDowell, and several smaller units in Eastern Virginia to form the Army of Virginia under the command of Major General John Pope (pictured here). [Wikimedia Commons]

Formation Date

  • June 26, 1862

Dissolution Date

  • September 12, 1862

Commanders

Notable Engagements

Significance

  • On June 26, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln ordered the consolidation of forces commanded by Major Generals John C. Frémont, Nathaniel Banks, and Irvin McDowell, and several smaller units in Eastern Virginia to form the Army of Virginia.
  • Major General John Pope commanded the Army of Virginia from June 27 to September 12, 1862.
  • President Abraham Lincoln’s order to create the Army of Virginia on June 26, 1862, was later codified by the War Department’s General Orders No. 103, dated August 12, 1862.
  • The Left Wing of the Army of Northern Virginia defeated Nathaniel Bank’s Corps of the Army of Virginia at the Battle of Cedar Mountain (August 9, 1862).
  • The Army of Northern Virginia defeated the Army of Virginia at the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 28–30, 1862).
  • On September 6, 1862, the War Department issued General Orders No. 128, reassigning Major General Pope to command the Department of the Northwest, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.
  • On September 12, 1862, the War Department issued General Orders No. 129 ending the existence of the Army of Virginia by merging its three corps with the Army of the Potomac.

Citation Information

The following information is provided for citations.

  • Article Title Army of Virginia (USA) - Facts
  • Date June 26–September 12, 1862
  • Author
  • Keywords army of virginia
  • Website Name American History Central
  • Access Date September 27, 2023
  • Publisher R.Squared Communications, LLC
  • Original Published Date
  • Date of Last Update April 2, 2021

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