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The Union Army was there. Hooker was the Union Commander so this answer makes no sense. In the Spring of 1863, after the horrible slaughter of Union troops at Fredricksburg on Dec. 13, 1862, Lincoln sacked yet another General of the Army of the Potomac(Ambrose Burnside). He appointed General Joseph Hooker. Hooker,wanting to bring ultimate victory for the North saw his chance to trap Lee's Army of Northern Virginia against the Rappahannock River. Hooker's main force was still opposite of part of Lee's Army at Fredricksburg(on the opposite side of the river. Hooker devised what he thought to be a masterful plan,leaving part of his force in easy view of the Confederates and moving the bulk of his army along the bank of the river to a point where,after crossing ,he would emerge "behind" Lee's Army with Lee's back against the river. His movement was discovered by Confederate cavalry and reported to General Lee,who moved quickly to confront Hooker as he emerged from the dense forest(The Wilderness). To abbreviate this answer I will just say that after 4 days of fighting Hooker retreated back to the north side of the river. Because of specific bold actions taken by Lee,this victory is considered by most to be his greatest battle victory.

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Q: Why did Union Major General Joseph Hooker attack at Chancellorsville?
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How was Stonewall Jackson aided in his flank attack on the Unions lll Corps at Chancellorsville?

Union General Hooker and Sickles lll Corps were outflanked by Jackson while Hooker was attempting to outflank Lee. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry screened Jackson's flanking movement. Union General Sickles was fooled thinking he was seeing a Confederate retreat.


How did lee defeat hookers army?

By wrong-footing Hooker and refusing to fight on the field Hooker had chosen. Then sending in Stonewall Jackson for a surprise attack at Chancellorsville that totally routed the Union troops.


Who replaced General Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac?

Major General Ambrose Burnside was replaced by Major General Joseph Hooker because of the disastrous Battle of Fredricksburg in December of 1862. Also for the failed attack on Lee's army in early 1863.


What civil war general devised a plan to attack general hooker from all sides?

Robert E. Lee


How was General Robert E. Lee able to out maneuver the Army of the Potomac in early June of 1863?

After General Lee had beaten Union General Joseph Hooker at Chancellorsville, he had pushed Hooker back on his heels and was confident that a raid into the North was needed to take the initiative away from the North. He reorganized his army and in early June of 1863, he out maneuvered General Hooker by conducting a flank march to the west with two corps while the remaining corps maintained contact with the enemy. General Hooker was not aware until June 9th of Lee's movement and was undecided as to what it meant. With Lee's third and remaining corps now following, Lee's army stretched over 100 miles by mid-June, marching as many as 30 miles on some days with his whole army averaging 15 miles per day. Lee took advantage of the Blue Ridge Mountains for protection from a Union flank attack.. Yet, at the same time, Lee could always threaten an attack east through the mountain passes. He had in fact stolen the march and was on the flank of Hooker's army.

Related questions

What was an early error made by Union General Joseph Hooker at the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Based on the plan of attack that Washington DC had provided to Union General Joseph Hooker, om May 1, 1863, he assaulted General Robert E. Lee's left flank with 73,000 troops. He left another 40,000 troops to guard Fredericksburg. His advantage in numbers was awesome. His assault did encounter Rebel resistance, and Hooker hesitated and withdrew to form a defensive position at the town of Chancellorsville. This was not in the plan given to Hooker by Washington DC. Hooker's generals were awestruck at this maneuver. It not only gave Lee time to recover, but the rough terrain around Chancellorsville, diminished hie numerical advantage. This error was the first one Hooker made that if not done, could have easily made Chancellorsville a Union victory. The battle would continue another two days.


How was General lee able to win the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Taking advantage of Hooker's caution, Lee sent Jackson's corps on an attack on Hooker's exposed right flank. The attack rolled up the Eleventh Corps, and sent the federal army down to defeat.


What was the main role entrusted to Confederate Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863?

Confederate Lieutenant General Robert E. Lee gave General Stonewall Jackson an immense responsibility at the 1863 Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson was entrusted with 21,500 troops. His orders were to gain a position from which he could turn and attack Union General Joseph Hooker's right flank which was not properly protected in the dense woods of the area called the Wilderness near Chancellorsville. To do this Jackson used most of May 2, 1863 to perform this task.


How was Stonewall Jackson aided in his flank attack on the Unions lll Corps at Chancellorsville?

Union General Hooker and Sickles lll Corps were outflanked by Jackson while Hooker was attempting to outflank Lee. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry screened Jackson's flanking movement. Union General Sickles was fooled thinking he was seeing a Confederate retreat.


How did lee defeat hookers army?

By wrong-footing Hooker and refusing to fight on the field Hooker had chosen. Then sending in Stonewall Jackson for a surprise attack at Chancellorsville that totally routed the Union troops.


What was the assignment of Stonewall Jackson at the Battle of Chancellorsville?

At the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, General Lee gave General Jackson 21,5000 troops. Jackson's mission was to gain a tactical position that would allow the Confederates to attack the left flank of General Hooker's Army of the Potomac. It was a risky maneuver that involved a sizable portion of Lee's army. It turned out to be a successful maneuver for the Rebels.


Who replaced General Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac?

Major General Ambrose Burnside was replaced by Major General Joseph Hooker because of the disastrous Battle of Fredricksburg in December of 1862. Also for the failed attack on Lee's army in early 1863.


What role did Stonewall Jackson play in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville?

The key flanking attack by Confederate Stonewall Jackson on Union General Hooker's forces turned the tide in favor of the Southern army. Jackson fooled Union General into thinking that he was retreating from the battle as he moved his men southwards. Jackson was planning a surprise attack instead. His closest Union adversary, General Sickles informed General Hooker of the apparent retreat. Hooker and his top commanders became complacent. Undetected, Jackson's force then turned and moved forward. His astounding flank attack on the surprised Federals caused them to retreat and the battle was lost.


What is the significance of the battle of fredericksberg?

General Ambrose Burnside went to attack the Confederate Capitol in Richmound, Virginia. His attempt ended with and overwhelming defeat which was the significance. This failure lead to Burnside's replacement with General Joseph Hooker.


Who won the Battle of Chancellorsville the union or the confederacy?

Confederacy lost General Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson at the battle of Chancellorsville.


What civil war general devised a plan to attack general hooker from all sides?

Robert E. Lee


What was the reason Union General Joseph Hooker resigned his position as commander of the Army of the Potomac?

Reportedly Major General Joseph Hooker resigned as the commander of the Army of the Potomac due to a dispute with General in Chief Henry W. Halleck. Hooker believed he did not have the confidence of the Lincoln administration. Hooker wanted to evacuate Harpers Ferry and use his troops to attack that portion of Lee's army not yet over the Potomac River. This would cut off Lee's lines of communication. Halleck, however, wanted the troops to remain at Harpers Ferry which allowed for the protection of Washington DC and Baltimore.