The Battle of Chancellorsville

When Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker boldly crossed the Rappahannock River on April 27, 1863, it appeared as though a decisive victory would follow. Hooker's Army of the Potomac was 133,000 strong, and its courageous march into Chancellorsville, Virgina, surprised the Confederate forces, which were vastly outnumbered and still regrouping from earlier battles. Yet despite having only 60,000 men at his disposal, General Robert E. Lee used ingenious planning and personal bravery to inspire his Confederate troops to a stunning victory.

The area around Chancellorsville is noted for its rugged terrain, thick brush, and dense wilderness. Instead of pressing the attack with his enormous manpower advantage, Hooker elected to benefit from the surroundings and hold a defensive posture, forcing Lee to either attack with his smaller army, which would eventually wear them down, or retreat with the Union forces at his back. Lee, never at a lack for valor, split his smaller army, sending General "Stonewall" Jackson and 28,000 troops to circle around and attack the Union's right flank, while Lee himself occupied Hooker's entire army with a force of roughly 12,000. Poor communication between regiments, disastrous battle decisions, and incompetence from several of his generals caused Hooker to suffer an embarrassing defeat, forcing the Union to retreat despite having a better than a two-to-one advantage in men.

Considered Lee's greatest victory of the Civil War, the Battle of Cancellorsville came at a staggering price. Before retreating, the Union suffered 17,000 casualties. While Lee lost fewer men, the total Union army dwarfed that of the Confederacy and could withstand the unimaginable carnage. The Confederate casualties at Chancellorsville amounted to roughly 25% of Lee's total infantry. He also endured the death of Jackson, his trusted ally and best general, to friendly fire. Lee's military daring may have won the battle, but Chancellorsville cost the Confederacy the war.