| | This Section Main Page | Historian | Statistician | Scientist | Song | Credits | Civil War Battles Index | |
|
ó |
|
Battle of Chancellorsville Date of Battle: May 1-4, 1863
Many of the battles during the Civil War took place between the Southern capitol, Richmond and the Northern capitol, Washington D.C. Both the North and the South were constantly trying to capture each others capitol because doing so would most likely result in the end of the war and victory to their side. The Army of the Potomac was on their way to make another attempt to seize Richmond and cut off communication between the Confederate army and their capitol. The Army of Northern Virginia (the Confederate Army) also had a great leader, General Robert E. Lee. Lee, who was born in Virginia, had graduated from West Point, ranking second in his class. When the war started in 1861, Lee was offered command of the Union Army. Although he greatly opposed slavery and sided with the North in that issue, Lee could not fight against his native state of Virginia. Instead he turned down the offer to command the Union Army and sided with the South. On April 29, 1863, the Union Army assembled pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock River and crossed to the southern bank. Amazingly, they had crossed undetected by the Confederate Army. Two days later, the Union Army and the Confederate Army had their first encounter on May 1, thus beginning the Battle of Chancellorsville. Over the next few days, the Union and Confederate Army would have countless fights. Rather than attacking the Southern forces as was Hooker's plan, the Northern Army ended up taking a defensive position through most of the battle, which eventually led to their retreat back across the Rappahannock River. The battle ended on May 4, with a victory to the Confederates. Chancellorsville is remembered as Lee's greatest battle because of the South's amazing victory. They had won the battle against heavy odds, with an army only half the size of the Union. However, the southern victory was not all glorious. The battle had resulted in the loss of about 22% of the Lee's army, as well ask the death of Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson. Ironically, Jackson had been shot by his own men, who had mistaken him to be part of a Union calvary on May 2. He died eight days later. The victory in Chancellorsville had given Lee new confidence to attempt another invasion of the North. Little did he know that a month later, in June of 1863, he and his Confederate Army would be engaged in yet another great battle-The Battle of Gettysburg. Unfortunately, this time he and his Confederate forces would not be as lucky.
Four Significant Events in 1863: Africa-Al Hajj 'Umar takes Timbuktu Europe-Polish citizens rebel against Russian rule Asia- Tai Ping rebels from China lose Soochow to Manchus
|
The Battle of Chancellorsville
is known to many as General R. E. Lee's greatest battle. After the Battle of Freidricksburg
in December of 1862, President Lincoln appointed a new general to the Army of the
Potomac due to the resignation of general Burnside, who had led the Union army to
a humiliating defeat. It was General Joseph Hooker, also known as "Fighting
Joe," who replaced Burnside's command of the Army of the Potomac the following
year. Hooker did not have the best reputation, and he was often said to be quarrelsome,
boastful, and a heavy drinker, but as a general, he was genuine and admired greatly
by his men. He believed in having his soldiers live comfortably and did his best
to make sure that they were housed, fed, and taken care of. Hooker restored confidence
to his wary troops and prepared them well for the battle that was to come.
 |
|
Kamehameha Schools | 1887 Makuakäne St.| Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817 | Tel. (808) 523-6200 |
 |
|
© 2002 Kamehameha Schools. Statements of Privacy, Copyright, and Disclaimer. Site managed by Education Webmaster |