May Battle of the Month: The Battle of Chancellorsville
This battle is considered one of the turning points of the Civil War. It was a major victory for the South under General Robert E. Lee (though they lost Stonewall Jackson in it). It changed the perceptions of the North from the belief that the war would be short and easy to the realization that it would be much more difficult.
Wiley Bookshop
1204 East Broadway
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 582-8663
hello@wileybookshop.com
Battle of Chancellorsville
April 30 - May 6, 1863
| South | North | |
|---|---|---|
| General | R.E. Lee | J. Hooker |
| Troops | 60,892 | 133,868 |
| Killed | 1,665 | 1,606 |
| Wounded | 9,081 | 9,672 |
| Missing | 2,018 | 5,919 |
Putting the Pieces in Place
In the battle of Chancellorsville Union forces attempted to
engage the Confederate army in battle and destroy it.
They did this by threatening Richmond Virginia.
By May 1, General Hooker had about 70,000 troops around Chancellorsville provoking a fight. Stonewall Jackson went west forming a force of 40,000 troops to face him.
The North Strikes
On May 1 General Hooker ordered a force to move east where they
engaged Confederate troops, which began to withdraw further east.
He then stopped his troops, waiting for General Lee to attack
him. He intended to engage in a defensive battle. To
this end he withdrew to the area around Chancellorsville.
The South Responds
On May 2 Lee took 12,000 men and faced Hooker's army directly.
Jackson took 28,000 men to attack Hooker's right flank.
General Howard held the Union's right flank with 11,000 men. He didn't put up any fortifications to protect his troops even though he had been ordered to.
Surprise Attack!
At 5:30 p.m. Stonewall Jackson attacked the Union right flank
with 26,000 men, coming out of the forest to fall on the Union
troops while they were cooking dinner. More than 4,000 of them
were captured while most of the rest fled.
This forced General Hooker to retreat into Chancellorsville.
Hard Fought Battle
On May 3 General Stuart took over for a wounded Jackson and drove
Union forces from Chancellorsville. Most of the casualties on
both sides took place during this day.
May 5 Hooker withdrew back across the Rappahannock river,
ending the battle and giving the South a huge victory.