|
The Battle of Chancellorsville:
Beginning of the End?
By Michael Aubrecht and Gunnery
Sergeant Robert Kruger, USMC
Introduction
SUMMARY: In May
of 1863, General Thomas Jackson's corps launched a
tremendous surprise attack on Major General Joseph
Hooker's Army of the Potomac, (AOP) in what would
be paradoxically remembered as one of the Army of
Northern Virginia's (ANV) greatest victories.
Anxious to end the Federal forces occupation in the
South, the overzealous Confederate commander took
several potentially catastrophic risks that would
ultimately change the course of the Civil War. By
the spring of 1863, the Confederacy had claimed
more victories (due [in part] to the majority of
battles that took place on Southern soil) and
appeared to be well on their way toward achieving
independence. Things would begin to change
following the ANV's win at Chancellorsville, which
resulted in the loss of Jackson and possibly the
South's momentum. In an effort to fully understand
the significance of the Battle of Chancellorsville,
we present a study of the participants and events
from both sides.
SIGNIFICANCE: The engagement took
place on the property of a family residence, within
a 10 square-mile area, that included the
intersection of the Orange Turnpike and Orange
Plank Road. The Battle of Chancellorsville was one
of the largest non-traditional "ambush"
engagements, as opposed to the Napoleonic and/or
"siege-style" of warfare that dominated the
majority of the Civil War's 19th-Century field
tactics. Despite being regarded as a tremendous
victory for the South, the loss of Major General
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and the sense of
invincibility instilled in the Confederate Army
ultimately resulted in more tragedy than triumph.
The Armies
PARTICIPANTS: Confederate: Army of Northern
Virginia: Est. 61,000 soldiers - 220 artillery guns
/ Union: Army of the Potomac: Est. 70,000 soldiers
- 184 artillery guns
CONFEDERATE Command Structure:
General Lee (commander of the Army of Northern
Virginia)
Major General Longstreet (I Corps commander - not
present)
Major General Jackson (II Corps commander)
Major General McLaws (I Division commander)
Major General Anderson (II Division commander)
Major General A.P. Hill (Light Division
commander)
Major General Rodes (D.H. Hill Division)
Brigadier General Early (Division commander)
Brigadier General Colston (Division commander)
Brigadier General Stuart (ANV Cavalry
commander)
UNION Command Structure:
General Hooker (commander of the Army of the
Potomac)
Major General Reynolds (I Corps commander)
Major General Couch (II Corps commander)
Major General Sickles (III Corps commander)
Major General Meade (V Corps commander)
Major General Sedgwick (VI Corps commander)
Major General Howard (XI Corps commander)
Major General Slocum (XII Corps commander)
Brigadier General Stoneman (AP Cavalry
commander)
Army of Northern
Virginia
BATTLEPLAN: Fully aware that they were outnumbered,
the Confederacy's top commanders took advantage of
an opportunity to turn the Union Army back toward
Washington D.C. Not quite sure of his foe's
intentions, General Robert E. Lee questioned the
logic as to why the Federals had allowed him to
move troops independently between two much larger
bodies and therefore concluded that an upcoming
full-scale engagement was inevitable. Utilizing
both military and civilian intelligence, including
surveillance by J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry and local
Fredericksburg residents' assistance in identifying
"hidden" road locations, the "Gray Fox" ordered
Jackson to march his troops undetected to the
outskirts of the encampment and launch a vicious
surprise attack that would destroy the Union's
positions and instigate a retreat back to the safer
confines of the North.
REALITY: With an exhausting march,
Jackson was able to move his entire army into
position with virtually no detection or
difficulties. But by the time they arrived, the
day's remaining light was down to approximately two
hours. After positioning his troops, Stonewall
ordered his men forward and they proceeded to
overwhelm the camp. As the Union Army attempted to
form into ranks, its artillery was summarily
captured as well as the majority of its supplies.
Unable to organize, the majority of the Federal
forces began to retreat back toward Hooker's
headquarters. With the aide of his officers, the
infuriated commander was able to regain some
control of his troops and began to formulate a
counter attack as the sun set. After Jackson was
accidentally shot by his own troops in a terrible
case of mistaken identity, the Confederate command
structure had to quickly modify its battle plan in
order to maintain troop morale and the upper hand.
Jackson's troops were assumed under the command of
General J.E.B. Stuart and were composed of A.P.
Hill's, Rodes' and Colston's divisions, just to the
West of the III Corps position at Fairview. Two
divisions of Longstreet's corps, (Anderson's and
McLaws') were with General Lee, just to the east of
the Federal position. The combined strength of
these two forces was about 48,000 men. Facing
Sedgwick at Fredericksburg was General Early's
division of approximately 16,000 men, stretched
along a six-mile front and General Wilcox's Brigade
of Anderson's Division.
Army of the Potomac
BATTLEPLAN: Using lessons learned from their defeat
at Fredericksburg, the Union command realized that
they could not challenge the Confederates
effectively (despite their lower numbers) when
facing troops that held superior positions on high
ground and in entrenchments. "Fighting Joe"
Hooker's initial plan was to disrupt the Army of
Northern Virginia by turning on Lee's left flank
with Stoneman's cavalry, in an effort to disrupt
both the Confederate lines of communication and the
movement of supplies in their rear guard. With
superior numbers, Hooker firmly believed that Lee
would be forced to withdraw to Richmond in light of
this threat. While they retreated, the Union Army
would push over the Rappahannock River in pursuit.
Hooker was so confident of this plan that he
briefed President Abraham Lincoln on April 11th,
saying, "I have concluded that I will have more
chance of inflicting a heavier blow upon the enemy
by turning his position to my right."
REALITY: Unfortunately, due to high
flood waters, Stoneman could not complete his
mission, so Hooker changed his plan to the
following: The cavalry and Federal infantry (42,000
men of the XI, XII, V Corps) would march
simultaneously upriver along the Rappahannock and
cross at Kelly's Ford; then cross the Rapidan River
at Germanna and Ely's Fords; proceeding into a
heavily wooded area known as the Wilderness of
Spotsylvania; and concentrate at the crossroads
called Chancellorsville, where they would strike at
Lee's army from the west. Two divisions (10,000
men) would then proceed to United States Ford and
wait for Meade's V Corps, marching east toward Lee,
to drive Confederate defenders away from the river.
Hooker would also try to maintain Lee's attention
at Fredericksburg by shifting the VI and I Corps
(40,000 men) under Sedgwick, to the
Confederate-held side of town, threatening an
attack against Stonewall Jackson's divisions
holding the right flank, to further mask Hooker's
movement. This plan would squeeze Lee between
powerful forces in the front and rear, while
Stoneman's cavalry wreaked havoc on Confederate
lines of communication and supply. Ultimately
Hooker believed that the Confederates would retreat
or attack on unfavorable ground.
Tragedy and Triumph
Excerpts taken from "Onward
Christian Soldier" and "Christian Cavalier"
(Publish America, 2005)
OVERVIEW: Spotsylvania County, VA, May 1, 1863:
After successfully marching and maneuvering his
army undetected on the outskirts of the enemy camp,
Jackson's men charged out of the wood line and
swarmed the encampment of their foes. As a shocked
and unprepared Union Army scrambled to defend its
positions, the Confederate infantry pushed forward,
overwhelming the Yankees and forcing them into
retreat. Taking advantage of the element of
surprise, the Confederate Army continued to pursue
the withdrawing Union soldiers that had splintered
off in a wave of confusion and disarray.
Despite the impending danger,
Jackson urged his men to press on, as the night sky
blanketed the wilderness around them. Perhaps best
known as “Stonewall”, Jackson earned his nickname
at the First Battle of Manassas, after refusing to
withdraw his troops in the face of total carnage.
After Brigadier General Barnard Bee informed him
that his forces were being beaten back, Jackson
replied, "Sir, we will give them the bayonet."
Inspired by the bravery of his subordinate, General
Bee immediately rallied the remnants of his brigade
while shouting "There is Jackson standing like a
stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we
will conquer." A devout believer in predestination,
Jackson insisted that God had already determined
his time on earth and that no spot on the
battlefield was safer than the other. It was this
unwavering conviction that enabled him to lead his
troops into battle without the fear of death and
inspire countless others to rally behind him. This
would ultimately become both a blessing and a curse
for the Confederate States of America.
Impatient for word from his scouts,
Jackson abandoned officer protocol and rode ahead
to survey the Federal lines. When he attempted to
return, a fellow Confederate regiment mistook his
party for Union cavalry. Then, without a warning,
two volleys rang out in the blackness and the
general fell from his saddle. Bleeding profusely,
Jackson had been hit by three shots, leaving one
bullet lodged in the palm of his right hand and two
in his left arm. He was quickly taken from the
field on a stretcher and treated at a nearby
hospital encampment at Wilderness Run. Before
succumbing to surgery, Jackson recommended that his
subordinate, Cavalry Commander General J.E.B.
Stuart, assume control of his II Corps.
Unfortunately, not all officers were in agreement,
including Stuart's senior, General Rodes, who felt
that his responsibilities and experience belonged
to a different arm of the service. Surely a cavalry
officer would be a last resort to command infantry
and artillery! After a short debate, Rodes
gracefully bowed out and submitted the prestigious
position to the more well known and respected
cavalier whose reputation would surely aid in
restoring the confidence of the troops who were
undoubtedly shaken by the fall of their general.
Later Rodes would be praised for his selfless
act.
Although not completely aware of
the seriousness of Jackson's wounds, Stuart stepped
in with great anger and intensity, determined to
find resolve for his fallen superior. Almost
immediately, he exploited the Federals' lack of
organization by placing 31 cannon on the higher
ground at Hazel Grove. Combined with additional
artillery, which was located west along the
Turnpike, the gunners at Hazel Grove pounded the
Union positions with a spectacular bombardment.
Stuart then launched brigade after brigade against
entrenched Union lines on both sides of the
Turnpike. A bloody battle ensued as troops lost
their way in the tangled underbrush and the woods
caught fire, confronting the wounded with a
horrible demise. Without hesitation, Stuart
continued to press forward, first to Fairview and
then against the remaining Union units at
Chancellorsville, as reinforcements from General
Robert E. Lee's wing advanced simultaneously from
the south and east. A Confederate staff officer,
watching the expressions of reverence and love for
the victorious supreme commander, stated, "It must
have been from such a scene that men in ancient
times rose to the dignity of gods." Unable to
recover, the Federals eventually retired back
across the Rappahannock River. The next day, before
the Confederates could renew their attack, the
entire Northern force withdrew.
After the battle had concluded,
over 24,000 men had been lost (approx. 14,000 Union
and 10,000 Confederate) including Union generals
Berry and Whipple and Confederate generals Paxton
and Jackson, who would survive his wounds, but
later die of pneumonia. Despite being considered
one of Lee's greatest victories, the loss of the
man he affectionately referred to as his "right
arm" may have marked the beginning of the end for
the Confederacy. As word spread throughout the
South of General Jackson's untimely and tragic
death, many supporters of the Confederacy fell into
hopelessness. No one, most of all his own men,
believed that anyone could ever replace him. Even
today, many historians credit the death of Jackson
as the key turning point in the War Between the
States. No other commander had ever been able to
push his men to such heights on the battlefield,
and many of the engagements that followed his death
might have been won, were it not for his absence.
Perhaps the most decisive of all battles,
Gettysburg has long been debated as the definitive
victory for the Union. During an interview on CSPAN
in 2001, noted Civil War expert Shelby Foote stated
that he believed if Jackson had lived, he
definitely would have taken Cemetery Hill at
Gettysburg. That victory alone determined the high
ground, the outcome of the battle, and possibly the
war.
STATISTICS: The Army of Northern
Virginia was the primary military force of the
Confederate States of America in the Eastern
Theater. This army was noted for its brilliant
command, aggressiveness and audacity that enabled
it to repeatedly rise to the occasion while
overcoming great obstacles and odds. Following a
swift and decisive victory at Chancellorsville, the
ANV followed up with a devastating loss in The
Battle of Gettysburg, in which it never appeared
able to recover from. Unable to maintain enough
supplies and manpower, the ANV was the first army
of the C.S.A. to surrender (to the Army of the
Potomac at Appomattox Court House) initiating the
end of the Civil War. Below appears a list of major
engagements fought by the Army of Northern Virginia
(before and after Chancellorsville) as well as
estimated casualties for each battle.
Army of Northern Virginia, Eastern
Theater (1861-1865)
Key: C = Confederate victory / U =
Union victory / I = inconclusive
Note: Casualties = killed (not including
wounded)
Battle of First Bull Run (C):
Casualties: Union: 460 - Confederate: 387
Battle of Seven Pines (I): Casualties: Union: 790 -
Confederate: 987
Peninsula Campaign (U): Casualties: Union: 3,000 -
Confederate: 5,355
Battle of Second Bull Run (C): Casualties: Union:
1,747 - Confederate: 1,533
Battle of Antietam (U): Casualties: Union: 2,108 -
Confederate: 7,816
Battle of Fredericksburg (C): Casualties: Union:
1,284 - Confederate: 608
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Battle of Chancellorsville (C): Casualties: Union:
1,574 - Confederate: 1,683
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Battle of Gettysburg (U): Casualties: Union: 3,155
- Confederate: 2,600-4,500
Battle of the Wilderness (I): Casualties: Union:
18,400 - Confederate: 11,400
Battle of Spotsylvania C.H. (I): Casualties: Union:
18,000 - Confederate: 12,000
Battle of Cold Harbor (C): Casualties: Union:
13,000 - Confederate: 2,500
Battle of Petersburg / Crater (C): Casualties:
Union: 3,236 - Confederate: 8,150
ANV
up to Chancellorsville: Est.strength: 75,000 -
Casualties: 16,686+/-
ANV at Appomattox: Est.strength: 28,231 -
Casualties: 40,233+/-
CONCLUSION: According to the
historians at Chancellorsville Military Park,
"Confederate leadership during the Chancellorsville
Campaign may represent the finest generalship of
the Civil War, but the luster of "Lee's greatest
victory" tarnishes upon examination of the battle's
tangible results. In truth, the Army of the Potomac
had not been so thoroughly defeated - some 40,000
Federals had done no fighting whatsoever. Although
Hooker suffered more than 17,000 casualties, those
losses accounted for only 13% of his total
strength. Lee's 13,000 casualties amounted to 22%
of his army; men difficult to replace. Of course,
Jackson's death on May 10th created a vacancy that
could never be filled. Finally, Lee's triumph at
Chancellorsville imbued him with the belief that
his army was invincible. He convinced the Richmond
government to endorse his proposed offensive into
Pennsylvania. Within six weeks, the Army of
Northern Virginia confidently embarked on a journey
northward to keep an appointment with destiny at a
place called Gettysburg."
Timeline of events: April 27-May
3
April 27: The
V, XI and XII Corps started the march to the
Rappahannock and Rapidan.
April 29:
Sedgwick's infantry was positioned opposite Lee's
at Fredericksburg. Artillery and musket volleys
started and continued for the next two days.
April 29: Stuart
supplied Lee with intelligence on Union troop
movements at Kelly's Ford.
April 29: Lee
ordered Anderson's forces to Chancellorsville and
McLaws to prepare his division to follow. Lee's
orders were "to select a good line and fortify it
strongly."
April 30: The Union
Army arrived near Chancellorsville
April 30:
1700-1800: Hooker arrived at Chancellorsville. A
private home would serve as headquarters for the
Army of the Potomac. Hooker stated, "The rebel army
is now the legitimate property of the Army of the
Potomac. They might as well pack up their
haversacks and make for Richmond. I shall be after
them." This was still in compliance with his battle
plan. (Although having momentum, Hooker
unaccountability halted his advance and
consolidated his position, losing the initiative
and giving Lee time to maneuver against
him.)
April 30: Lee
decided that Sedgwick's intentions were nothing
more than a façade. He left General Early,
9,000 men and 30 cannons (1/4 of his total
artillery) at Fredericksburg. He moved with Jackson
toward Chancellorsville.
May 1: 0800: Lee
and Jackson arrived at Zoan Church. Lee and Jackson
determined that they would push toward
Chancellorsville on Plank Road. "We are not going
to wait for the enemy to come and attack us…we are
going out on the warpath after him."
May 1: Morning:
Hooker ordered a three-pronged advance toward
Fredericksburg: Meade and two divisions of the V
Corps moved on River Road; Sykes's division moved
east on the turnpike; Slocum's XII Corps moved on
Plank Road with Howard's XI Corps in close support.
Couch's divisions, reinforced by the III Corps
remained in reserve.
May 1: 1100: The
Confederate Army was in motion
May 1: 1120: The
Battle of Chancellorsville began.
May 1: 1400: Hooker
decided not to assault and issued orders for the
corps commanders to suspend their advances and fall
back to the crossroads. It was a decisive moment in
the battle. The advancing corps commanders were
successful, until they were called back by Hooker.
Hooker relinquished the numerical superiority and
lost his nerve. He lacked the will to commit his
army to a decisive confrontation with Lee.
May 1:
Mid-afternoon: The Union Army started entrenching
along a defensive line centered on
Chancellorsville. The entrenching was to protect
against Confederates to the south and east. It was
shaped like a "V" with the apex near
Chancellorsville. Hooker stated, "I have Lee just
where I want him; he must fight me on my own
ground."
May 1:
Mid-afternoon: Lee's army was positioned east and
southeast (within a mile) of Chancellorsville.
McLaws' units straddled the turnpike and Anderson's
and Jackson's divisions were located along Plank
Road.
May 1: Late
evening: Lee and Jackson met at Catherine Furnace
(one mile southeast of Hooker's headquarters) to
discuss how they would get at the enemy. Reports
stated that the Union left and center entrenchments
were too strong, but the right may be vulnerable.
J.E.B. Stuart delivered news from Fitzhugh Lee that
Hooker's right flank was reported to be "hanging in
the air." If they could move undetected across
Hooker's front and hit the right flank, they might
achieve victory.
May 2: Prior to
dawn: Lee decided to divide his army again, sending
28,000 men of Jackson's II Corps to conduct a flank
attack on Hooker's right flank. It left him with
13,000 men and 24 guns to keep Hooker's attention,
while Jackson moved into position.
May 2: Prior to
dawn: Lee and Jackson parted for last time. Lee
stated, "Such an executive officer the sun never
shown on. I have but to show him my design and I
know that if it can be done, it will be
done…"
May 2: 0200: Hooker
detached Reynold's corps from Fredericksburg to
support the rear envelopment. This brought his
forces to roughly 90,000 men.
May 2: 0700-0800:
Jackson's column was in motion on a 12-mile route.
Rodes' division was in front, followed by Colston
and then Hill. The march pace was one mile every 25
minutes with a ten-minute break each hour.
May 2: 0800: The
Confederate Army was spotted by the Union Army at
Hazel Grove. Sickles was informed about this
movement and moved to Hazel Grove where he watched
the movement for three hours.
May 2: 0900: Hooker
received a message from Sickles about the
Confederate column. Using field glasses, he
observed the Confederate Army on the march. He
thought they were retreating or searching for an
opportunity to strike the Union right flank. He
sent word to Howard to protect his western flank.
Howard later said that he never received this
word.
May 2: 0900: Hooker
ordered Sedgwick to "cross the river as soon as
indications will permit; capture Fredericksburg…and
pursue the enemy."
May 2: 1050: Howard
informed Hooker about "a column of infantry moving
westward on the road parallel with the turnpike on
a ridge about 1 ½ to 2 miles south of this."
Howard also stated that he was taking measures to
resist an attack from the west. He actually did
nothing to rearrange his troops and most continued
to face south along the turnpike.
May 2: 1450:
Fitzhugh Lee informed Jackson that, to their front,
spread out along the turnpike, were thousands of
Federal soldiers at rest, with arms stacked,
campfires lighted and no expectation of a
Confederate assault from the west.
May 2: 1500:
Jackson's men moved across Plank Road. He sent a
message to Lee stating, "I hope as soon as
practicable to attack."
May 2: 1715-1800:
Jackson told Rodes, "You can go forward then."
Twenty thousand Confederates, forming a battleline
over two miles in length, conducted a right-flank
assault. Within 20 minutes the Union forces were
ordered to retreat.
May 2: 1830:
Jackson's corps reached Dowdall's Tavern.
May 2: 1900: The XI
Corps resistance collapsed.
May 2: 1900: The
Union artillery (37 guns) at Fairview directed
effective fire westward toward the advancing
Confederates.
May 2: 1915: Due to
disorganization, the Confederate forces under Rodes
had to halt to reorganize, near Plank Road, one
mile west of Chancellorsville.
May 2: 1915: The XI
Corps suffered 2,500 casualties (25% of its
strength).
May 2: Evening:
Hooker, still somewhat lethargic, assisted in
stabilizing the Union line west of
Chancellorsville. Major General Barry, III Corps
commander, moved his men west to form a line
perpendicular to Plank Road, one-half mile west of
Chancellorsville.
May 2: Evening:
Union and Confederate soldiers were mingled
together in total confusion.
May 2: 2100:
Sickles' men settled into position at Hazel Grove,
facing northwest.
May 2: 2100-2359:
The Confederate troops, involved in the flank
assault, reorganized near Wilderness Church.
Jackson ordered the A.P. Hill corps to the front to
continue the assault.
May 2: 2100:
Jackson and a small party of riders moved east
along Plank Road looking for evidence of enemy
movements. After an examination of the area, they
turned back toward friendly lines. After covering a
short distance, scattered shots rang out. Then a
volley of fire from the North Carolinians of
Brigadier General Lane's brigade hit Jackson and
his party. The brigade mistook them for Union
cavalrymen. Jackson was struck three times; once in
the right hand, once near his left elbow, and again
near his left shoulder. Within hours he was
transported to a Confederate hospital, where his
left arm was amputated. Jackson's II Corps was
briefly shifted to A.P. Hill, until he was wounded
and then they were assigned to J.E.B. Stuart.
Jackson, while recovering successfully from these
wounds, developed pneumonia and died eight days
later, on May 10th.
May 2: Jackson's
flank attack marked one of the most dramatic
moments in Confederate military history.
May 2: Hooker was
overwhelmed by Lee and was thinking defensively. He
met with Sickles on the high ground of Hazel Grove.
Hooker ordered Sickles to abandon the position and
take up a new line along Plank Road.
May 3: First Light:
The III Corps began to withdraw from Hazel Grove.
The Confederates attacked from the northwest,
capturing 100 prisoners and 4 guns. Lee then
ordered the positioning of 30 guns upon Hazel
Grove. A duel between the Confederate artillery on
Hazel Grove and the Union artillery at Fairview
commenced.
May 3: 0530-1000:
Stuart's infantry advanced toward the western face
of the Union line and Lee's forces pressed from the
south and east.
May 3: 0915: A
Confederate artillery shell struck the pillar at
the Chancellorsville house where Hooker was
leaning. He was thrown to the ground and rendered
briefly unconscious. Hooker, dazed and disoriented,
passed the command to Major General Couch and
ordered the Union Army to withdraw to a new
position, closer to the Rappahannock River. A few
hours later, he resumed command of the Union
Army.
May 3: 1000: Hooker
ordered the Union artillery to withdraw from
Fairview.
May 3: 1000: Hooker
abandoned Chancellorsville and moved back to a new
line closer to the Rappahannock River. He ordered
the II, III, and XII Corps to withdraw while waging
a rear-guard action. (Hooker did not engage the I,
V, or XI Corps during the battle).
May 3: 1000: Lee
and Stuart's armies reunited and took
Chancellorsville.
May 3: 1000: Lee
and the Confederate Army emerged victorious as
Union forces withdrew.
| 
