Jackson could not know that on that same day, eighty miles to the east, events were taking place that would change both the course of the war and his own destiny. Lincoln, frustrated with McClellan’s refusal to advance in spite of considerable prodding, relieved McClellan of overall command of Union armies. While he was left in charge of the Army of the Potomac, Lincoln and Stanton would now assume authority over the other parts of that army. This included the newly constituted 5th Corps under Nathaniel Banks, who had previously reported directly to McClellan.
