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My attempt at a reasonably plausible Alternate Civil War:

Major General Oliver Howard was perhaps the most unprepared man in the world at the moment. He was currently in command of the XI Corps of the Army of the Potomac which probably had the lowest morale in the army. Most of the men were German, excluding Howard, and many of them had never seen a victorious battle. While they were cooking their dinners, something totally unexpected happened.

Out of the dense forest, the II Corps under Lieutenant General “Stonewall” Jackson charged towards the unsuspecting Federal soldiers. There was barely a battle. One division made a stand before the Confederates returned fire. Over half of the XI Corps (6,000 out of 11,000) was taken prisoner, killed, or injured.

Meanwhile, a Confederate shell tore through a wooden pillar, sending it down onto General Hooker’s head. Despite this injury and keeping much to his personality, he chose not to turn command to Major General Couch. This would determine Fighting Joe’s performance throughout the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Hooker immediately ordered Sickles’ III Corps to Chancellorsville, giving the Confederates two great advantages: Lee’s and Jackson’s forces were together again and Hazel Grove which gave them a superior artillery position.

Despite his success, General Jackson was not satisfied. He wanted to continue with night attack that would block a Union retreat at U.S. Ford. After returning from scouting ahead, North Carolinian pickets were suddenly alerted by the sound of hooves and prepared to fire. What they soon saw was not Union cavalry but their corps commander, Old Jack himself!

Lee's multiple attacks against Slocum and Couch had caused Union troops in the north to reinforce the southern forces. Even John F. Reynolds and his I Corps of the Army of the Potomac were called south to relieve Howard's weakened and disorganized XI Corps. (It had retreated to the right of Chancellorsville following Jackson's ambush.)

At around 7:30 p.m., Jackson's II Corps moved out. Jackson had planned for them to walk another 12 miles, much to their dissatisfaction. However, they were used to multiple treks under Old Jack. Their destination would be U.S. Ford. There they would make a stand against Reynolds' I Corps even though they would be exhausted.

Due to multiple shortcuts and minimal breaks, the II Corps reached the Rappahannock at 9:30. Much to their satisfaction, Reynolds wasn't there. In fact, no Union soldiers were there. After securing the area, Jackson gave them a much rewarded rest. While they slept Stonewall kept a vigilant eye on the Rappahannock.

As May 3rd rose from the east, Hooker found the Army of the Potomac in quite a predicament. The Battle of Chancellorsville would not end until the invaders were across the Rappahannock.

May 3rd began with no firing on Sickles' and Meade's corps. After Jackson's message to Lee about his progress was received, General Lee ordered a complete offensive against Chancellorsville. Meanwhile, Hooker gave the order that orchestrated his destruction.

By the afternoon, Chancellorsville was in Confederate hands. "Stonewall" had wisely waited in silence for the perfect time to strike. His scouts had recently confirmed that Hooker's army was now forming a defensive line encircling U.S. Ford. Jackson's 26,000 men charged into the back of Howard's XI Corps that was already in combat with Early's men. They had just arrived from pushing Sedgwick's men across the Rappahannock. The XI Corps was virtually destroyed as the survivors (including General Howard) ran to either Slocum's or Couch's corps.

Jackson and Early then turned against Slocum's surrounded XII Corps of 46,000 men. After the offensive and a multitude of casualties, the XII Corps fled to Couch's. By May 4th, the Army of Northern Virginia was once again unified. Jackson's II Corps along with McLaws' forces stretched from U.S. Ford to an intersection of roads northeast of Chancellorsville. Anderson and Early formed a line north of the building. Clearly, Hooker's men would need an alternate road to cross Rappanhannock.

May 4th marked the last day of Chancellorsville. The Union Army was almost completely surrounded. Their only chance of escape was to move west. General Hooker, realizing the situation was hopeless ordered his men to retreat across Ely's Ford.

Meade's III corps, being closest to Ely's Ford, was one of two to cross peacefully. As soon as Jackson realized that the Federals were retreating, he ordered a pursuit. The II Corps ambushed the unprepared Union II Corps and XII Corps. General Couch readily responded to the Confederates, inflicting heavy losses on Jackson's men. The XII Corps lost more men then expected due to Slocum's horrible and slow response. His performance at Chancellorsville gave him the nickname "Slow Come".

Meanwhile, gunfire was heard by Early's and Anderson's men. They began mobilizing and flanked Couch's and Slocum's troops. They inflicted major losses on the XII and II Corps. Their gunfire, in turn, was heard Reynolds' men who were currently not far away from Early and Anderson. The I Corps caused them to retreat back to Chancellorsville. However, the damage was done. Stonewall and McLaws had overrun their Union opponents. Although he wanted to stand and fight, Reynolds realized it would be wise to join up with the rest of the Army of the Potomac rather than take on the entire Confederate army. By the end of the day, all Union forces were across the Rapidan River.

As the Battle of Chancellorsville came to an end, the Army of the Potomac had taken about 35,000 casualties while the Confederates had taken 16,000 losses. Though one of Lee's greatest victories, he had lost around 27% of his men.

EDIT: Posts combined into a single one.
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