Chancellorsville, VA
[Battle of Chancellorsville by Kurz and Allison - courtesy
of Wikipedia]
Date(s):
April 30-May 6, 1863
Location:
Please click on link below for map.
Chancellorsville National Military Pk (park), Virginia, United States
Campaign(s):
Chancellorsville Campaign (April-May 1863)
Battles in
Campaign:
Situation:
Commanders:
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Union:
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker
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Confederate:
Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson
Principal Forces:
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Union:
97,382
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Confederate:
57,352
Description:
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On April 27, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker led the V, XI, and
XII Corps on a campaign to turn the Confederate left flank by crossing
the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers above Fredericksburg.
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Passing the Rapidan
via Germanna and Ely’s Fords, the Federals concentrated near Chancellorsville
on April 30 and May 1.
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The III Corps was ordered to join the army via United
States Ford. Sedgwick’s VI Corps and
Gibbon’s division remained to demonstrate
against the Confederates at Fredericksburg.
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In the meantime, Lee left a
covering force under Maj. Gen. Jubal Early in Fredericksburg and marched
with the rest of the army to confront the Federals.
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As Hooker’s army moved
toward Fredericksburg on the Orange Turnpike, they encountered increasing
Confederate resistance.
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Hearing reports of overwhelming Confederate force,
Hooker ordered his army to suspend the advance and to concentrate again
at Chancellorsville.
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Pressed closely by Lee’s advance, Hooker adopted a
defensive posture, thus giving Lee the initiative.
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On the morning
of May 2, Lt. Gen. T. J. Jackson directed his corps on a march against the
Federal left flank, which was reported to be “hanging in the air.”
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Fighting was sporadic on other portions of the field throughout the day,
as Jackson’s column reached its jump-off point. At 5:20 pm,
Jackson’s line
surged forward in an overwhelming attack that crushed the Union XI Corps.
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Federal troops rallied, resisted the advance, and counterattacked.
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Disorganization
on both sides and darkness ended the fighting.
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While making a night reconnaissance,
Jackson was mortally wounded by his own men and carried from the field.
J.E.B. Stuart took temporary command of
Jackson’s Corps.
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On May 3, the
Confederates attacked with both wings of the army and massed their artillery
at Hazel Grove. This finally broke the Federal line at Chancellorsville.
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Hooker withdrew a mile and entrenched in a defensive “U” with his back
to the river at United States Ford.
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On the night of May 5-6, after Union reverses at Salem Church,
Hooker re-crossed to the north bank of the Rappahannock.
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This battle was
considered by many historians to be Lee’s greatest victory.
Photo Gallery:2
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Chancellorsville Battlefield - Visitor Center
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Chronological Maps of Chancellorsville Campaign
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Site of Confederate Trenches Held by "Stonewall" Jackson's Troops
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Site of Confederate Trenches Held by "Stonewall" Jackson's Troops
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Description of Hooker's Movements - April 27 - May 6, 1863
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"Stonewall" Jackson Shot by Own Troops!
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Confederate Catastrophe - "Stonewall" Jackson Shot
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Marker on Site Where Jackson was Mortally Wounded
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Marker on Site Where Jackson was Mortally Wounded
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Hooker Believes Lee is in Retreat - May 2, 1863
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Catharine Furnace
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Site of Catharine Furnace
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Jackson's Flank March
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Hazel Grove
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Lee Renews the Attack
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A Very Hot Place
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Lee Renews the Attack
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Confederates Under J.E.B. Stuart Drive Hooker's Troops Past Chancellorsville - May 3, 1863
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Description of the Chancellorsville Inn
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Climatic Struggle
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Lee's Greatest Triumph
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Classification2:
A
Casualties3:
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Union:
14,000
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Confederate:
10,000
Results:
Confederate
Victory
Battlefield Websites:
Recommended
Resources:
1 Please click on the image to
enlarge it. You may copy the images if you include the following note and link
with each image: "Courtesy of
civil-war-journeys.org."
2
Classification:
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A
- having a decisive influence on a
campaign and a direct impact on the course of the war
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B -
having a direct and decisive influence on their campaign
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C -
having observable influence on the
outcome of a campaign
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D
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having a limited influence on the
outcome of their campaign or operation but achieving or affecting important
local objectives
3 Casualties are
someone killed, injured, wounded, captured or missing.
Revised
07/19/2008 |
