The hopes of the North were high that the Army of the Potomac now had General
Hooker who would lead it to glorious victory. Hooker reorganized it, abandoned
the cumbrous machinery of grand divisions, returned to the corps system, and
formed a new plan, of the success of which he was very sanguine. He said he had "the
finest army on the planet," and that no power, earthly or heavenly,
could save Lee from destruction. After some unimportant movements he sent
Stoneman's cavalry to the enemy's rear, and then, crossing the Rappahannock at
several fords, with the ultimate intention of turning Lee's left, while Sedgwick
should make a demonstration on Fredericksburg, instead of attacking Lee, he took
post at Chancellorsville, where he awaited Lee's attack.
This came with unexpected force and unexampled rapidity. Sedgwick's attack
upon the Fredericksburg heights had been successful, but, Jackson, by a vigorous
flanking movement, turned the National right, and threw it back in great
confusion upon the centre; there was want of concert of action, and thus the
battle, although well planned, was lost. In the very heat of the conflict
occurred an accident that entailed serious results. General Hooker was leaning
against a pillar on the piazza of the Chancellor house, which was struck by a
cannon ball. He was stunned, and for some time senseless, and could not recover
his judgment so as to continue the command or to transfer it. to a subordinate.
Jackson was mortally wounded, and for two days the Army of the Potomac held its
ground. The command devolved upon General Couch, of the 2d corps, who withdrew
the forces to the north side of the river. While the Confederate general, elated
by this unexpected victory, was moving northward with bold schemes of invasion,
the Army of the Potomac took up a line extending from Washington to Baltimore,
hoping and expecting that Lee would again give battle in Maryland. In this they
were disappointed. It soon became evident that Lee was going to invade
Pennsylvania by way of Chambersburg.
Biographies of Participants
