Hooker was more brash than brave. If he wins at Chancellorsville, he might be more willing to pursue Lee, but then Lee will do the same sort of defensive attrition war that he used against Grant to prolong the war so long. Hooker will be handed a defeat sooner or later, and then become overly cautious. Grant will as OTL be brought in after his victory at Vicksburg. It seems to me that Chancellorsville in this timeline takes the place of Gettysburg, with Hooker taking the place of Meade.
Or is there some variable I'm forgetting that is a game-changer? The fact that he is defeated on Virginian soil?
Or is there some variable I'm forgetting that is a game-changer? The fact that he is defeated on Virginian soil?