How Did Burnside Fail To Pass

The battle was one of several that took place as a result of the Federal objective of trying to take the Confederate capital, Richmond, in Virginia. The Union army had been defeated in four major encounters with the same objective in the previous two years.

As a result of these defeats, morale was low and the Union army was suffering from a high desertion rate. Major General Ambrose Burnside wanted to implement widespread changes in the Army of the Potomac by removing many if its most senior officers, but failed to get the necessary approval from Congress. Disillusioned, he offered his resignation to the President, Abraham Lincoln, but Lincoln persuaded him to accept a different command.

Burnside’s replacement as head of the Army of the Potomac

Hooker modified the plan, and this time set about launching an attack on the Confederates from the front and rear. Stoneman was to retry his crossing, while 42,000 men would simultaneously try to cross the river upstream at Kelly’s Ford, and proceed to Chancellorsville.

A further 40,000 troops under the command of John Sedgwick would attempt to cross the Rappahannock south of Fredericksburg and launch an assault on the Confederates’ right flank, a section commanded by Stonewall Jackson.

The remainder of his army, numbering some 25,000 men would remain at the Falmouth camp, and act as a diversionary force to conceal the pincer movement from the Confederates.

The river crossings were attempted between April 27 and 30 and were successful, meeting little opposition from the Rebels. As a result, Hooker had assembled a total force of 70,000 at Chancellorsville by May 1.

Despite his army being outnumbered by more than two to one, Lee decided to split his force in two, and mount an offensive against the Union soldiers. Heavy fog helped to confuse the Union army about what the Confederates were