What was the Union cavalry doing during Second Manassas? For all of Pope's shortcomings, was this arguably his BIGGEST? If he had mastery of the cavalry corps, shouldn't even just competent execution have discovered Jackson marching past his rear, and perhaps avoided the embarrassing loss of his supply dump? And more importantly, shouldn't any competent cavalry execution have substantiated Porter's belief that Longstreet was sitting there on the flank ready to strike?
For all of Pope's flaws, was this what cost him the campaign?
For all of Pope's flaws, was this what cost him the campaign?