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Chancellorsville Campaign
May 3, 1863 - Battle cries break the stillness of the dawn as 25,000 Confederate soldiers move up through the dark woods on both sides of the Plank Road to attack the Union position guarding Fairview heights, 800 yards to the east. Leading them in place of the wounded Stonewall Jackson was Lee's 30-year-old cavalry chief, 'Jeb' Stuart. By 10:50 a.m. after a fierce struggle, Fairview had fallen and Hooker's men were pushed back past Chancellorsville to a defensive line from which they would retreat across the river on May 5. Lee was then free to boldly strike out North toward Gettysburg. |