The Battle of Chancellorsville is widely regarded as General Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory of the American Civil War. Fought in the Wilderness of Virginia from April 30 to May 6, 1863, Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia faced off against the reorganized and revitalized Army of the Potomac under Major General Joseph Hooker. “Fighting Joe” initially held the tactical advantage, but lost his nerve and yielded the initiative to Lee. Outnumbered by a Federal force that was nearly twice the size of his own, General Lee divided his army three times in a series of flank and frontal attacks that bewildered Hooker. The Union commander eventually pulled his forces back across the Rappahannock River, marking another humiliating defeat for the Army of the Potomac. Despite his brilliant victory, Lee lost one of his most trusted generals. During the battle, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was mortally wounded by friendly fire. Following the death of his highly capable subordinate, Lee professed, “I do not know how to replace him.” While nothing could make up for the loss of Jackson, Lee’s success at Chancellorsville earned him the strategic initiative. The Army of Northern Virginia would soon carry its momentum north to the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Holding The Line 