Existing comment:
"What will the country say?"
When news of Hooker's defeat at Chancellorsville reached President Lincoln, he groaned, "What will the country say?" The defeat came amidst growing disaffection on the Northern home front. Northerners remained deeply divided over the purpose of the war: A war for Union? For freedom? Or both? Was the Union worth the loss of life?
The South rejoiced in victory, though it mourned the loss of Jackson. Lee emerged as the Confederacy's great hope for independence. Lee hoped more victories would deepen Northern political divisions and challenge the will of the Northern people to continue the war. |