Chancellorsville, Virginia
May 1-5, 1863
On April 27, Gen. Joseph Hooker led the Army of the Potomac with over 120,000 men in three corps on a campaign to confront Lee's army near Fredericksburg, VA. "Fighting Joe" Hooker, known for his oversized ego, confidently remarked, "May God have mercy on General Lee, for I will have none." Hooker had a good plan: he divided his army, sending 10,000 across the Rappahannock far upstream to cut Lee's supply lines, while 70,000 marched upriver to cross at fords several miles beyond Lee's left flank, and another 40,000 led by Gen. John Sedgwick feigned an advance at Fredericksburg, east of Chancellorsville, to hold Lee in place. Passing the Rapidan River via Germanna and Ely’s Fords, Hooker assembled just north of Chancellorsville on April 30 (see map). General Lee left a covering force of 10,000 men under Gen. Jubal A. Early in Fredericksburg and marched with the rest of the army to confront Hooker. As Hooker’s army moved through Chancellorsville toward Fredericksburg along the Orange Turnpike, they encountered increasing Confederate resistance. Hooker adopted a defensive posture, backtracking and giving Lee the initiative. On the morning of May 2, Lee took a bold risk by sending Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson with 26,000 men on a 14-mile march circling southwest to the Federal flank. Lee kept a remaining force of just 17,000 infantry to boldly face Hooker's force of over 50,000 men. Fighting was sporadic on other portions of the field throughout the day, as Jackson’s column moved into position against the Union right flank. General Oliver Howard somehow failed to see the impending danger, disregarding reports of Jackson's movement. That evening, as Howard's 11th Corps was cooking dinner, Jackson’s men surged out of the woods with a hail of gunfire. The Federal troops panicked, but after a chaotic retreat they rallied and counterattacked. Disorganization on both sides and darkness ended the fighting. While making a night reconnaissance, Jackson was wounded by his own men and carried from the field (see Death of Jackson). General Jeb Stuart took temporary command of Jackson’s corps and on May 3rd the Confederates attacked with both wings of the army and massed their artillery at Hazel Grove. This finally broke the Federal line at Chancellorsville. Hooker suffered a concussion when an artillery shot struck his headquarters. At Fredericksburg, meanwhile, Sedgwick had led a bold attack on Marye's Heights, forcing the Confederates to retreat from their trenches. Lee quickly sent four brigades to stop Sedgwick's advance. On May 4, Hooker entrenched in a defensive position with his back to the river. On the night of May 5, after a reverse at Salem Church, he retreated across the Rappahannock. Hooker's forces had outnumbered Lee's by two to one, but his casualties were 17,000 compared to Lee's 13,000 in the four days of fighting. This battle is considered by many historians to be Lee’s greatest victory.
© 2004 David C. Hanson, Virginia Western Community College
