Chapter 6: Confederate High-Water Mark

The American Civil WarMr. Contipodero

Near victory for the SouthSeptember 1862

South on the offensive“Never before or afterward was the

Confederacy so near to victory as it was in the middle of 1862”

McClellan relievedGeneral Halleck general in chief of all armies

General Halleck“His grasp of the theories of strategy was

excellent, but at heart he was a shuffler of papers.” (Catton, pg. 86)

What does this mean?

General LeeDivided his forces in VA to deal with

Generals McClellan and PopeTogether outnumbered Lee but far apart

Stonewall Jackson to deal with Pope

2nd Battle of Bull Run (Manassas)Jackson captured Union supplies at Manassas

JunctionPope convinced his won the battle

General Longstreet (CSA) joined Jackson’s troops

Union was crushedPope retreated to Centreville

Who Can Rise to the Challenge?Lincoln reinstated McClellan to command

certain divisions

Lee wanted PA and invasion of the North

Near VictoryNorth was fighting a “defensive” warBritish were close to granting South

IndependenceTrade worthy country

The Biggest Mistake!McClellan couldn’t find LeeConfederate officer lost a copy of Lee’s

ordersDivided confederate troops in multiple

directionsThe copy got to McClellan’s headquartersOfficer identified confederate handwritingMcClellan met Lee in Sharpsburg, MDThe Battle of Antietam