Battle of Chancellorsville

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e and stop General Lee’s lines of communication before turning southeast toward Hanover Junction to set up camp. A heavy rain fell upon the area causing the river to flood and no one was able to cross the river until the 27th of April. General Hooker had a third of his men led by Major General Couch march down about 40 miles toward the United States Ford on the Rappahannock just below the Rapidan to distract General Lee’s attention and mask his troop movement.

The Union Army outnumbered the Confederate Army 2 to 1. General Lee was in command of about 63,000 soldiers. General Jackson was in command of 33,000 troops to the front right of General Lee, from Hamilton’s crossing to Port Royal. General Longstreet remained with General Lee. General McLaws held the front from General Jackson’s left to the opposite ford with 8,000 troops. General Anderson led 8,000 from General McLaws left toward Chancellorsville. General Stuart led about 2,700 cavalrymen to watch the fords of the Rappahannock up to the Orange and Alexandria railroad crossing.

On the night of the 29th of April, General Stuart sent two regiments of cavalry to intercept General Stoneman’s crossing the river towards Gordonsville. General Stuart then crossed Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan River and placed his cavalry to protect General Lee’s left flank. This brought him in contact with the Union cavalry advance on the morning of the 30th, near Todd’s tavern, not far from Tabernacle church.

On the 30th of April, General Hooker placed 50,000 soldiers near Chancellorsville with 18,000 nearby in reserve. General Sedgwick was in place on General Lee’s right with 40,000 soldiers below Fredericksburg. General Stoneman with his cavalry was threatening his rear area. General Lee quickly reacting to the situation at hand ordered General Jackson towards Tabernacle church. A good portion of General Jackson’s troops joined General Anderson and prepared to me...