Chancellorsville

In the Civil War’s third year, the Army of the Potomac, led by its new commander, “Fighting Joe” Hooker, crossed the Rappahannock River beyond Lee’s left flank on April 28, 1863, and moved on the former country inn known as Chancellorsville. Though reduced to just 60,000 men, Lee responded with audacity and attacked Hooker in the gloomy thickets of the Wilderness. Four days of pitched battle followed, and Lee outmaneuvered and outfought his opponent, forcing him to retreat. It was Lee’s greatest triumph of the war, but it came at great cost, for on May 10, 1863, his top general, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, died of wounds received in the battle, and without Jackson to carry out his plans, Lee never again achieved such stunning success.

Lake Wilderness, Virginia · United States