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(Salem Church)

Salem Church

May 3-4, 1863
Also known as: Banks’ Ford
Spotsylvania County, VA
Campaign: Chancellorsville Campaign

Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, USA
Gen. Robert E. Lee , CSA

Both sides were in Corps strength, or even a little reinforced.

There were about 5,000 casualties.

After occupying Marye’s Heights on May 3, Sedgwick’s VI Corps marched out on the Plank Road with the objective of reaching Hooker’s force at Chancellorsville. He was delayed by Wilcox’s brigade of Early’s force at Salem Church.  During the afternoon and night, Lee detached two of his divisions from the Chancellorsville lines and marched them to Salem Church. Several Union assaults were repulsed the next morning with heavy casualties, and the Confederates counterattacked, gaining some ground. After dark, Sedgwick withdrew across two pontoon bridges at Scott’s Dam under a harassing artillery fire.  Hearing that Sedgwick had been repulsed, Hooker abandoned the campaign, recrossing on the night of May 5-6 to the north bank of the Rappahannock.

Page 46

(Salem Church)