How does Jackson take advantage of General Hooker's weakness to surprise the Union troops at Chancellorsville?

Answer 1

On May 1, 1863 after Hooker first lost his offensive drive and was "checked", that evening Generals Lee and Jackson met to plan their strategy. Because of early cavalry scouting reports the basic position of Hooker's troops was known. At the meeting with Lee, Jackson proposed a bold plan in which he would march his entire corps(2nd Corps, between 26 to 28 thousand soldiers) on a 14 mile march on narrow trails out of sight(most of the time) of the Union Army. The reason for this was to launch a "flank attack" against the right flank or the end of the Union position. During that period in history because of the way armies fought, the most effective way to attack the enemy was to attack at the end of their line of troops.On May 2nd, after an all day march and getting his soldiers in position, at about 5:15 in the afternoon the attack was launched. The Union soldiers(many of whom were already cooking their meals) were shocked and panicked when deer and rabbits came bounding out of the woods and right behind them were Jackson's men. The battle was a Confederate victory but was bittersweet as that evening Jackson was accidently shot by Confederate troops and he died 8 days later. This battle is considered by most to be Lee's greatest victory.