Day 1

On May 1st, 1863, all hell broke
loose in Virginia along the 
Rappahannock.

When the Union's Major General 
"Fighting Joe" Hooker moved over
the Rapidan and a second Union 
wing led by Sedgwick's 6th Corps 
crossed the Rappahannock below 
Fredericksburg, Confederate 
General Robert E. Lee faced a 
serious dilemma.  Conventional 
military wisdom dictated that he
should retreat south and escape 
Hooker's trap; instead, Lee 
opted to meet the Federal 
challenge head-on.  

Guessing that Hooker's primary 
threat was the wing advancing 
towards Chancellorsville, Lee 
assigned Major General Jubal 
Early's troops to man the old 
Fredericksburg entrenchments 
while the balance of the army 
would turn west toward the 
tangled Wilderness to confront 
Hooker's flanking column.  

As Hooker's Army of the Potomoc 
moved into Chancellorsville and 
tentatively pushed beyond, 
Confederate Lt. General Thomas 
"Stonewall" Jackson's veteran 
troops rushed to meet the Union 
Army.  Hooker's confidence had 
faded to caution, but the battle
was far from over.  Lee and 
Jackson bivouaced along the 
Plank Road.


Day 2

Before dawn, Lee and Jackson 
studied a hastily drawn map and 
decided to undertake one of the 
biggest gambles in American 
military history.  The Army of 
Northern Virginia would be 
fractured into three pieces - 
Early's contingent would be 
positioned at Fredericksburg, 
Jackson's corps would follow a 
series of country roads and 
forest paths to reach the Union 
right, and Lee would occupy a 
position to divert Hooker's 
attention during Jackson's 
dangerous trek.  Once in 
position, "Stonewall" would 
smash the Federals with his 
full strength while Lee 
cooperated as best he could.

Shortly after 5 P.M., Jackson's 
troops stormed into the flank 
and rear of the Union force, led
by Major General Oliver Howard.
Sunset and the inevitable 
intermingling of Jackson's 
brigades compelled Jackson to 
call a reluctant halt to the 
advance about 7:15.  Jackson 
rode ahead of his men to survey 
the field - when he attempted 
to return, a North Carolina 
regiment mistook his small party
for Union cavalry.  Two volleys 
burst forth in the blackness and
Jackson tottered in his saddle, 
suffering from three wounds.


Day 3

"Stonewall" Jackson's 
replacement was Major General 
J.E.B. Stuart.  Stuart attacked 
the Union position at Hazel 
Grove in an attempt to drive a 
wedge into the Union line.  

Penetrating within a quarter 
mile of Chancellorsville 
Stuart's approach divided the 
Union forces.  During the attack 
Hooker was wounded.  

By late morning, Union commander
George Meade was ready to attack
the Confederate's exposed left 
flank.  He met with Hooker's 
replacement, Darius Couch, who 
informed Meade that they were 
to leave the field.  The battle 
then shifted to Fredericksburg, 
Virginia, as Union Major General
Sedgwick assaulted and gained 
positons at Marye's Heights.

Having penetrated the thin 
Confederate line, Sedgwick raced
ahead into Lee's own defensive 
position at Salem Chuch - where 
he was stopped cold for the rest
of the day.

