General Lee’s Greatest Victory: The Battle of Chancellorsville, Military History Spotlight
“Spotlight on Military History” is an ongoing feature on You Served, VA MortgageCenter.com’s Military Blog.
Outnumbered more than 2 to 1, Confederate General Robert E. Lee defeated Union General Joseph Hooker in a deadly battle from May 1, 1863 – May 5, 1863. General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker, was newly appointed command of the Union Northern Virginia Army early in 1863. He devised a battle plan that he believed was the perfect plan for defeating General Lee’s much smaller Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Had Hooker not trapped himself in an area of woods known as “The Wilderness” his plans may have worked.
Hooker’s army was nearly 130,000 strong, while Lee’s men numbered only 60,000. Hooker intended to first send 10,000 men of his Calvary to cut off Lee’s communication with Richmond. His remaining 120,000 troops he would split; 60,000 to cross the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers to attack the Confederate troops from behind and 60,000 to cross the river at Fredericksburg and attack Lee from the front. Without the ability to communicate with his capitol Lee would be fighting two battles each against an army that equaled his own.
“Fighting Joe” Hooker began to execute his plan on April 27, 1863. When Lee’s scouts reported Hooker’s movements Lee faced a difficult decision. Would he retreat south to escape battle with the superior army or would he meet the challenge head on? Lee chose to meet the Union head on, opposite of what conventional warfare would presume, thus achieving a surprise attack.
Lee divided his small army, leaving 10,000 to guard Fredericksburg and the remaining 50,000 marched to meet Hooker’s attack. When the two armies met on May 1, 1863, Hooker withdrew to Chancellorsville, a tavern at the cross roads in a wooded section known as the wilderness. Hooker took on defensive tactics, abandoning the offensive, in the hopes of forcing Lee to carry out an attack that would leave his troops confused and defenseless in the dense forest. Lee rose to the challenge. On the morning of May 2 he divided his army once again. About 14,000 men under General Lee held their current location in order to keep Hooker’s attention focused there, while General “Stonewall” Jackson maneuvered most of the army to attack Hooker’s right flank. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia was now split into three small divisions.
Jackson was in position about 2 hours before dusk and attacked the Union soldiers by surprise in their camp. Fighting continued until late evening, when the Confederate army ceased fire to re-group. In the aftermath General Jackson was mistakenly shot by his own men, his left arm needing to be amputated that night. General Jackson lost his life just eight days later. General Jackson’s successor was General Stuart.
The bloodiest day of the battle was May 3. The Union army had been ordered to retreat to Fairview, an elevated clearing near Chancellorsville. This gave the Confederates the opportunity to set up 31 cannons to fire up on the clearing. The Union army responded with 34 cannons of their own. The woods were ablaze and the wounded trapped. Stuart pressed forward, while Lee advanced from the south and east. The Confederates took Fairview and Chancellorsville.
Lee prepared to press forward, however received word that Fredericksburg was under attack. Lee divided his army again to defeat the Union and save Fredericksburg. Under cover of darkness on May 5, Hooker’s men retreated from Chancellorsville and the battle was over.
bob
April 6th, 2009 at 6:51 amCOOOOOOOOOOL =] !!!!!!!!