Saturday, July 6, 2013

May 1, 1863---The Battle of Chancellorsville: Day Two



MAY 1, 1863:     

The Battle of Chancellorsville (Day Two): 

Robert E. Lee, outnumbered at better than 2 to 1, with only 61,000 troops, divided his army---violating a cardinal rule of textbook warfare that stipulates that one never divides one’s army in the face of a superior force---and left a covering force under Major General Jubal Early in Fredericksburg. He then marched the rest of his army to confront the Federals. As Hooker’s army moved in a great loop back toward Fredericksburg they encountered increasing Confederate resistance. Reports of an overwhelming Confederate force in his path caused “Fighting Joe” Hooker to timidly order his army to suspend their advance toward Fredericksburg. Attacked by Lee and Early on the wings, Hooker then ordered his men to fall back to Chancellorsville, where they remained overnight and dug in.



Hooker had planned all along to act in a defensive posture, thus ceding the initiative of the battle to Lee.  Many historians feel that Hooker thus lost the battle even before it began. The shooting began in earnest around noon on May the first, but Hooker’s tepid withdrawal tipped the balance of the battle. Instead of throwing his superior force against Lee and easily crushing him while leaving his Fredericksburg reserve to deal with Early, Hooker ordered that Union forces were not to attack until attacked---causing confusion and consternation throughout the Federal army. 

  
On this day, the Confederate Congress approves a new national flag for the Confederacy. The Stars and Bars is replaced by the Stainless Banner.
  

 

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