Hurrah for Old Joe!: Hooker Wins at Chancellorsville

VII: Jackson's Flank Attack

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The Union 11th Corps was the smallest corps in the Army of the Potomac only about 8,000 men. It was a unique in having the largest of men with Germanic ancestry referred to as "dutchmen" by their fellow soldiers. In recent months morale in the unit had sunk to an all time low. The corps popular commander Franz Sigel had been replaced by Oliver Otis Howard. The men saw Sigel as a fatherly figure one of their own while Howard wasn't given the same affection. Howard, though a very brave officer having lost an arm in the Peninsula, was outwardly reserved and pious, he did little to inspire the men. At Chancellorsville, Howard and the men of the 11th found themselves at the extreme right flank of the Union lines.

By May 1st Hooker was settling in at his new headquarters the Chancellorsville House. His army now rested in a salient facing outward with Meade, Couch, Slocum were engaged Confederates to the east, Sickles was probing due south and Howard was holding to the western flank. After spending the day inspecting and assessing his position, Hooker realized that Howard's force was in no condition to hold the right alone. In response that night he sent orders for Reynold's 1st corps to be pulled from Sedgwick and redeploy with the main body. Reynold's would take up a new position to reinforce Howard. Sedgwick wasn't happy but under the circumstances begrudgingly understood. Before they could arrive however disaster struck.

On the afternoon of May 2nd, Stonewall Jackson at the head of over 20,000 men assailed the Union right in one of the most spectacular attacks on the war. Howard's men had failed to entrench and were taken largely by surprise. Outnumbered three to one at the point of attack the corps was shattered losing over a third of its strength. Howard's heroic attempts to rally the corps amounted to not. The Union position was only salvaged by the onset of night. The rest of the army cursed the men of the 11th as "Howard's Cowards" and the "flying dutchmen" This was largely unfair as many units had put up a good fight against long odds. Having taken a beating the men of the 11th, and the Army of the Potomac as a whole wondered what tomorrow would bring.
 
VIII: Hooker's Resolve

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On the morning of May 3rd, despite the setbacks, the Union position was still very strong. Hooker had five corps still available for action and in good condition. He still held a massive numerical advantage over his opponent. News of Jackson and A.P. Hill's wounding had filtered through the lines. Hooker was elated judging that the Confederates must have taken heavy losses and be disorganized after the assault. Remembering his Napoleonic history, Hooker thought to what General Desaix said to Napoleon on the battlefield of Marengo, "This battle is completely lost. However, there is time to win another." Hooker resolve to do just that.

Looking to his lines, Hooker hoped to reorganize and strengthen his position. One area in particular caught his eye, the high ground at Hazel Grove. At first Hooker believed the location too exposed and leaned towards withdrawing the men of Sickles 3rd Corps then occupying it. However at the suggestion of General Warren and his chief artillery officer Henry Hunt, he order the high ground at Hazel Grove to be held. Warren and Hunt explained the many advantages of maintaining the position and that it would be a key location from where federal guns could operate and impede further Confederate progress. Presented with this sound advice Hooker relented.

As well word was sent to Sedgwick ordering him to attack as soon as possible. In Hooker's assessment, Lee had pulled the vast majority of his soldiers from the Fredericksburg front. Now was the time to strike. Should 6th corps make an assault they would most likely be faced with a few thousand men at most. Sedgwick staring up at Marye's Heights was less convinced. The general cared deeply about his men and did not want a repeat of Burnside's fiasco. Despite his uneasiness he promised to make an attempt of it. While all of this was developing, Meade and Reynolds had arrived at headquarters to present an intriguing plan of their own design....

*Hooker will not be injured in his scenario due to his decision to hold Hazel Grove. This will prevent artillery fire from hitting the Chancellorsville house.
 
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IX: Counter Stroke

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At around 10:00 am, the two Pennsylvanian generals Reynolds and Meade presented their plan to Hooker. Their two corps, the 1st and 5th, were currently positioned due north of what was Jackson's old corps, now being led by cavalier J.E.B Stuart. They advocated a strike south along the road towards the Confederate positions. Stuart and his corps were at that moment locked in mortal combat with Sickles men to the east in the Hazel Grove-Fairview sector. Thus the Union attack if made would smash the Confederates in the open flank. Hooker was enthusiastic about the plan and ordered preparations made for the counter stroke.

General Sickles now only had to hold out a little while longer. His men still held the advantage in terrain and numbers against the determined Confederate attacks. Throughout the fighting, Sickles was seen doing numerous acts of personal bravery rallying his men and personally taking command of the Excelsior Brigade. The Excelsior was the elite of his corps, made up of New York boys raised personally by Sickles. These men fought like lions, beating off repeated assaults.

Meanwhile at Fredericksburg, Sedgwick was getting everything in position for his attack. Butterfield had arrived to over see the operation and to speed up the assault. Hooker was worried that Sedgwick, slow moving and cautious, at the times would not assault in a timely manner. As well Hooker detached John Gibbon's reserve division and added it to 6th corps. This would give Sedgwick some added confidence and now put the total number of men under his command to well over 20,000 soldiers. With everything in place, Hooker held his breath the next few hours would decide the battle and perhaps the war.....

* The map above shows Meade and Reynold's positions on May 3rd, they will turn and attack toward's Stuart.
 
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X: Success at Last

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Meade-Reynolds' counterattack began around midday and proved itself to be a well lead affair. Meade's 5th Corps began the attack with three divisions, under Charles Griffin, Andrew Humphreys and George Sykes with brigades hitting the Confederates one after the other down the line.The attack was conducted "en echelon", the idea being to draw Confederates further into the trap.The inexperienced Stuart rushed his reserves in to counter Griffin's attack only to be hit by Humphreys and Griffin. Reynold's Corps, followed Meade's example,attacking in similar fashion sweeping away the Confederates in its path. The combined assault was a complete success, capturing hundreds of soldiers and sending Lee's men scurrying to the south and south east.

If things were not bad enough for Lee, Sedgwick almost simultaneously opened his offensive. John Gibbon's Wisconsin lead his men up Marye Heights coming into contact with Confederates defending an all too familiar stonewall. The initial fighting proved very bloody but Confederate resistance soon collapsed. With the heights secure, Sedgwick breathed a sigh of relief he would not be the Burnside of this story. The 6th Corps commander then ordered his men to pursue the Confederates west ward towards Salem Church. Hooker and his staff erupted in celebration to the incoming news. The tide had turned it looked as though Lee's army would be forced to inglorious "fly".

*The above map is generally accurate in the Fredericksburg sector, for the Chancellorsville area imagine a similar sweeping movement towards the south-east.
 
dont know a lot about the war of southern treason, but will a union win in this battle shorten the war, or what effect will you go with?
 
Lee will have to recall Longstreet now. Will be interesting to see how Lee reacts and uses Longstreet.

What is the situation in the Shenandoah valley?

Could Lee send Longstreet there as a way to have Hooker pull back.

Can Hooker cover this flank?
 
dont know a lot about the war of southern treason, but will a union win in this battle shorten the war, or what effect will you go with?

Lee will have to recall Longstreet now. Will be interesting to see how Lee reacts and uses Longstreet.

What is the situation in the Shenandoah valley?

Could Lee send Longstreet there as a way to have Hooker pull back.

Can Hooker cover this flank?

Thanks for the comments both of you.:)

It should shorten the war by months but it depends alot on how the West turns out in this scenario. Alot of things will change such as Longstreet's Corps not being at Chickamauga.

The Shenandoah Valley is currently under the influence of the Union 8th Corps, with Union holding Harper's Ferry and Winchester. Your Longstreet idea is an interesting thought, reminds me alot of what Lee did in 64 with Early's raid. Lee immediate objective at this point is to get behind some good defensive ground and restablize the situation.
 
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dont know a lot about the war of southern treason, but will a union win in this battle shorten the war, or what effect will you go with?

I personally think this should shorten the war even if the South in the West slows the North's advance by 70% relative to OTL. Remember the largest rebel formations are here.
 
I personally think this should shorten the war even if the South in the West slows the North's advance by 70% relative to OTL. Remember the largest rebel formations are here.

In addition to this Richmond is an essential production center for the Confederacy, half the total Confederate artillery was produced at its works. Taking this away they would begin to feel a heavy strain on their munitions.
 
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VIII: Hooker's Resolve.
Snip.
A good POD; as a suggestion, you can also have it where Hooker was not injured by a cannonball. As this article suggests, Hooker's injury could have easily affected his judgement.
Here, since Hazel Grove was not evacuated, the Confederate artillery could not fire on Hooker, therefore, he would not be concussed.
 
A good POD; as a suggestion, you can also have it where Hooker was not injured by a cannonball. As this article suggests, Hooker's injury could have easily affected his judgement.
Here, since Hazel Grove was not evacuated, the Confederate artillery could not fire on Hooker, therefore, he would not be concussed.

Yes that is a good point the Chancellorsville House wouldn't come under artillery fire in this scenario. Hooker getting that concussion really ruined any chance of victory. As the article says before he was hit they were contemplating counter attacks but afterwards he won't have any of it. I'll add a note to the post.
 
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Lee is not done for. It depends if old Joe keeps up the pressure. Is Hooker willing to fight all summer to take away Lee's freedom of movement?

It would be like giant's overland campaign but one year earlier.

Lee would use Longstreet to relieve pressure.

Out West, Grant has finalized his plan for Vicksburg and is south of the citadel.

Grant looks like he will still capture Vicks on July 4.

Then Grant will be made head General in the West as Hooker is head in the East.

Grant will split forces to link up with Rosecrans and to capture Mobile.

So Lee still has life in defending Richmond but overall the Confeds are screwed

Politically, is there any fallout for Lee? Chancersville was his greatest victory as he got inside Bookers head. With a more confident Hooked, watch out.
 
XI: Lee Slips Away

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On May 4th, with the battle turning from bad to worse, Lee decided to finally give the order to retreat. He was determined that it would not be a rout but an orderly affair. Much of Longstreet's Corps had been at Suffolk gathering supplies and was now coming up to assist. They would cover the withdrawal of Stuart's shattered corps. Everything considering the retreat was well managed and Lee got his army to relative safety behind the Pamunkey river .The mood however was much saddened by news of Stonewall Jackson's death on the 10th. Loses for the campaign had been severe upwards of 20,000 men killed, wounded or missing roughly a third of his army. Lee even went so far as to tender his resignation but it was not accepted.

On the Union side, Hooker put his main focus on linking up with Sedgwick and enveloping Confederate forces in between. Slocum's 12th and Couch's 2nd corps were pushed eastward towards Bank's Ford meeting Sedgwick's men advancing from Salem's church. The move was a small success taking several hundred prisoners. Overall the Union pursuit, despite instances on action from Lincoln, was slow and tepid. The reasons for this were many, the army had sustained 15,000 casualties and Hooker had been informed of Stoneman's failure to disrupt Lee's rear. In Hooker mind he had won a great victory why spoil it by an overextended thrust. Hooker would now focus his army on preparing for what he hoped would be the final drive on Richmond.

In the Western Theater meanwhile, Union efforts were beginning to ramp up. Ulysses S. Grant was making a move towards Vicksburg and Nathaniel Bank's men from New Orleans were headed towards Port Hudson. If these two fortified posts could be seized it would give the Union complete control over the Mississippi. At the same time General William S. Rosecrans was preparing for a major offensive into Middle Tennessee that would hopefully capture the key rail junction at Chattanooga.

*For reference, this map below is from Grant's Overland Campaign it would be similar to this timelines withdrawal behind the Pamunkey/North Anna River: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...verland_Campaign_Wilderness_to_North_Anna.png
 
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Hope my latest update answered some of these questions

The fate of Rosecrans is an interesting one. I'm curious if Grant may be overshadowed by him in this timeline. Rosecrans was a personal friend of Lincoln and supposedly even offered Vp slot. Lincoln only agreed to his relief after the disaster at Chickamauga we all recall the qoute, Rosecrans was "like a duck hit on the head." In this timeline Lee will need Longstreet in the East so most likely no defeat at Chickamauga. This means Rosecrans is still a very influential figure and posed to move into Georgia or as you say assist in capture of Mobile.
 
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