August 2, 1862

August 2, 1862:  Gen. John Pope puts his Army of Virginia into motion, in order to bring the scattered pieces of his army into concentration.  Pope has been given two tasks by the War Department: 1) to shield Washington from a Confederate advance, especially while McClellan is still on the Peninsula, and 2) to interrupt the line of communication between Jackson and Lee at Richmond.  Pope advances a brigade of infantry under Gen. Samuel Crawford and his cavalry under Buford south toward Orange Court House, only 10 miles from Jackson’s force at Gordonsville.  (See map.)  This advance surprises Jackson’s pickets and drives them out. 

—At Harrison’s Landing, McClellan finally responds to Halleck’s orders to push at Richmond to see if Lee is still there—a reconnaissance in force.  McClellan details Gen. Joseph Hooker and his division to advance northward over Malvern Hill and test the enemy’s lines.

—A skirmish near Ozark, Missouri, results in the larger Rebel force being driven away by a company of Federal infantry, who captured much of the Rebels’ arms and equipment.

—On July 29, Federal troops capture Belle Boyd, the teenage temptress who did such effective spying for Stonewall Jackson a few months back.  On this date, she is committeed to the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, DC.