ORDER OF BATTLE // September 1, 1862
Northern Virginia Campaign
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 123,500 estimated
United States of America
75,000
Medium-confidence figure
Confederate States of America
48,500
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Northern Virginia Campaign, fought in August and September 1862, marked a significant Confederate strategic success in the Eastern Theater. Following his successes in the Seven Days Battles during the Peninsula Campaign, General Robert E. Lee moved north toward Washington, D.C., and defeated Major General John Pope and his Army of Virginia. The campaign demonstrated Lee's ability to shift from defensive operations on the Peninsula to offensive action against a larger Union force — the Army of Virginia numbered roughly 75,000 against a Confederate strength of approximately 48,500. Union casualties of over 16,000 against Confederate losses of roughly 9,200 reflected the scale of the Federal defeat. The Confederate victory removed the immediate threat posed by Pope's army, consolidated Southern control of northern Virginia, and set the stage for Lee to carry the war northward into Union territory.
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