The Army of the Shenandoah is one of the armies of the Confederate States of America in the first months of the US Civil War . It was created to protect the Shenandoah Valley , then was transferred to strengthen the Potomac Army and participated in the first battle of Bull Run . After the battle, it became part of the Potomac Army.
| Shenandoah Army | |
|---|---|
 Joseph Johnston, Army Commander Shenandoah | |
| Years of existence | May β July 1861 |
| A country |  |
| Included in | Confederate States of America Armed Forces |
| Type of | army |
| Includes | infantry cavalry artillery |
| Function | state defense |
| Dislocation | military districts (departments) |
| Participation in | U.S. Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Famous commanders | Joseph Johnston |
The Shenandoah army arose in the form of several militia units assembled for the defense of the city of Harpers Ferry. To collect and train these units, the Virginia Command sent Thomas Jackson to Harpers Ferry. Jackson formed five infantry regiments and one artillery battery, and so what appeared later turned into a " stone wall brigade ." On May 15, 1861, Joseph Johnston replaced Jackson at his post and included several more regiments recruited in different parts of the country. As a result, the Shenandoah army began to consist of four infantry brigades and one cavalry regiment, commanded by Jeb Stewart.
The army was as follows:
- The First Team of Thomas Jackson
- Francis Bertow Second Brigade
- The Third Brigade of Bernard B.
- Arnold Elsie's Fourth Brigade
- Fifth Brigade of Edmund Kirby Smith
The Smith Brigade was the Maryland Regiment of George Stuart and the Virginia Regiment of Ambrose Hill . The total army was 10,654.
In mid-June, Robert Paterson's federal squad headed for Harpers Ferry. Johnston did not defend Harpers Ferry, but destroyed the bridges across the Potomac and led the army south to Winchester. For about two weeks, Patterson was waiting for reinforcements, after which he launched an offensive to the south, but he walked only 8 kilometers and ran into Stuart's cavalry barriers. For various reasons, Patterson stopped the offensive, and this allowed Johnston to transfer the army to Manassas, to strengthen the Potomac army of Boregar . The transfer began on the evening of July 18. The brigades went to Piedmont, from where they were delivered to Manassas by train. Artillery and cavalry moved on their own. The last units arrived at the site on July 21 and managed to take part in the first battle of Bull Run. All four Johnston brigades and four of eight Beauregard brigades took part in the battle. In the battle, Francis Bertow and Bernard Bee died.
After the battle, the Shenandoah Army merged with the Potomac Army. Johnston became army commander, and Beauregar remained his assistant, and a little later was transferred to the West.