Abraham Lincoln heads a group that travels out to Virginia to review Joseph Hooker’s revamped Army of the Potomac.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Abraham Lincoln heads a group that travels out to Virginia to review Joseph Hooker’s revamped Army of the Potomac.
John Pope misses an opportunity to claim an easy Federal victory in northern Virginia, and Robert E. Lee hurries to form a plan of attack before Federal numbers become too overwhelming.
John Pope sends his Federal army probing southward from northern Virginia, while Robert E. Lee determines that Pope is the main threat to his Confederate army.
Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson proclaims a day of thanksgiving for his army and sends a message to Robert E. Lee requesting more men so he can invade the North. But Lee has other ideas.
Letter from David Ash, Company B, 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, three days after the Battle of Pea Ridge.
Demoralized Federal troops begin a long retreat out of southwestern Missouri after their defeat at Wilson’s Creek.