Nathaniel P. Banks looks to unify Federal forces in the Shenandoah Valley, confident there is no opposition. But Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson has other ideas.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Nathaniel P. Banks looks to unify Federal forces in the Shenandoah Valley, confident there is no opposition. But Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson has other ideas.
Federal forces move farther into Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, while Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson begins developing plans to drive them out.
“Stonewall” Jackson’s 3,500-man Confederate army attacks 9,000 Federals south of Winchester in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. This marks an inauspicious start to what will become a legendary campaign.
“Stonewall” Jackson begins a campaign intended to keep Federals busy so they could not move east and join the Federal drive on Richmond.
An order from the Confederate secretary of war prompts Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson to submit his resignation from the Confederate army.
A group of Confederate officers led by William W. Loring petition Richmond to force Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson to remove them from the miserable town of Romney.