What was the cause of the Battle of Chancellorsville?

Answer 1

Having just been appointed to command of the Army of the Potomac,General Joseph Hooker had his chance to destroy General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Most of the A.N.V. was located in the general area where they had been during the Battle of Fredricksburg which had been fought on Dec.13,1862. Hooker's plan was to leave Sedgwick's Corps in place at Fredricksburg to cause a diversion,while the rest of the A.o.P. was marched North and West along the Rappahanock River. Hooker was hoping to surprise Lee and trap his Army between the two parts of the Union Army(in order to fully understand this plan it helps to look at a map of this area). The Confederate Cavalry was not fooled by Hooker's move along the river,they watched his movements and reported to Lee. General Lee immediately saw what Hooker was attempting to do.Lee issued orders for his Army to march toward the area known as the Wilderness.Lee left the Division of Gen.Early at Fredricksburg to keep Sedgwick in check.The entire battle took 4 days and is too involved to detail here.In summary,this battle was where Lee shined brightest by taking bold action in the face of great danger to the Army,and by aggressive attack of Stonewall Jackson,Hooker's Army was defeated.