eHistory.com - Battles: Chancellorsville

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BATTLES

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CHANCELLORSVILLE

Following the Fredericksburg debacle, President Abraham Lincoln replaced Burnside with Joseph Hooker. On April 27,1863, the new commander marched most of his army upstream, crossed the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers at shallow fords, and within three days was at the Chancellorsville crossroads. Lee discovered this threat to his position and rushed westward, prompting

Hooker to abandon the initiative and establish a defensive line, which was vulnerable on the right flank. Stonewall Jackson exploited this weakness on May 2 by leading his corps on a risky 12-mile march around the Union army and destroying Hooker's right in a spectacular surprise attack. Ironically, the day ended in tragedy for the Confederates when Jackson was unwittingly shot and mortally wounded by his own troops. For three more days Lee pressed his advantage and eventually drove the Federals back across the river.

BATTLES

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