Throughout April of 1863 the Union Army of the Potomac under the command of General Hooker concentrated over 120,000 troops to threaten the Confederate Capitol of Richmond. The Rebels led by Robert E. Lee numbered half the opposing forces. Defeat seemed imminent at Chancellorsville, however Lee divided his forces and flanked the Union with Stonewall Jackson’s Brigades routing the Union XI Corps.
Unfortunately Old Stonewall was accidentally shot by his own men at battle’s end.
The Battle was the second bloodiest of the Civil War.
Five days later Hooker’s troops retreated from the field of combat.
This victory convinced Lee that the Army of Northern Virginia was invincible, leading to the disastrous invasion of Pennsylvania a month later and the defeat of Gettysburg.
The end began with the victory at Chancellorsville.
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