Chancellorsville, Virginia... May 1-3, 1863

Have you ever been in a situation where you lost heart and ran? That is exactly what happened to the Union Army under the direction of General Hooker at the Chancellorsville Battle. By mid-1863, President Lincoln had gone through several generals to command the Army of the Potomac in his search for one who would pursue General Lee and end the war. "Fighting Joe" Hooker seemed like just such a man, boasting "May God have mercy on Bobby Lee, for I shall have none." Events would prove otherwise.

In 1863, Chancellorsville was a convergence of crossroads and a large home owned by the Chancellors, often used as a boarding house. General Hooker made his headquarters at this home as he prepared to engage the Confederate Army. New recruits and supplies had arrived, winter was over and he was eager to get down to business. On the other hand, General Lee had spent the winter trying to ration supplies and boost the dismal morale of his dwindling troops. He received word that the Union Army was fortifying in the Carolinas to move towards Richmond- and Lee could not allow that. He sent some of his troops there, further weakening his troop strength.

This intersection of Route 3 and Elys Ford Road is the crossroads at Chancellorsville. Directly behind the camera is the Chancellor House.

On the morning of May 1, 1863 General Hooker had superior strength, supplies and strategic advantage having maneuvered his troops in such a way as to pin General Lee's Army in the hills between two sizable forces. Everyone knew the Confederate Army was in trouble. Hooker sent troops up to the ridge (high ground) where a skirmish with the Confederates ensued. The Union Army pressed on and gained the high ground. Then, for reasons no one quite understands and to the amazement (not to mention disappointment) of his men, Hooker ordered his troops to retreat. Several battles followed until Hooker's army ended up back at the crossroads. Lee ordered heavy artillery fire forcing the final retreat of the Union Army.

The Chancellor House was completely destroyed when fire broke out from the artillery fire. The foundation (left) and front steps (right) are all that remain today.

Did Hooker look at Lee's troops and see a tremendous force even though they were quite teeny-tiny? What made Lee persevere despite being outnumbered and outgunned? I pondered those questions as we drove around the battle/skirmish sites marking Hooker's retreat. I think that I am sometimes like Hooker, seeing problems as mountains instead of the molehills they really are. I don't know if Lee was thinking of Isaiah 40:10- "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."- as he persevered and pursued Hooker's mighty army, but I certainly plan to the next time I face a "mountainous molehill."

Today's wildlife! I think the butterfly- larger but retreats when anything approaches- is like General Hooker, while the spider- smaller but stands his ground- is like General Lee.