On May 3-5, Union soldiers on the front line probably used these rifle pits, while trenches on the other side of the creek possibly served Confederate skirmishers. As fighting raged near Salem Church, Union Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds believed that the Federal army of 75,000 should attack the 25,000 Confederates facing it at Chancellorsville. After Hooker refused to take the offensive, Reynolds sent Col. Roy Stone's brigade on a reconnaissance in hopes that it would trigger a general engagement, but Stone, unaware of Reynolds' ulterior motive, withdrew after advancing close enough to hear the enemy's voices.