Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 34.djvu/11

 General Lee's Strategy at ChanceUorsvillc. 3

accords to General Jackson the strategical conception of the movement of his corps, as well as the tactical skill with which it was executed, and the attack made.

"THE BATTLEFIELDS OF VIRGINIA.

CHANCELLORSVILLE.

Embracing the operations of the Army

of Northern Virginia, from the first

battle of Fredericksburg, to the death

Lieutenant-General Jackson.

BY

JED. HOTCHKISS, Late Captain and Topographical Engineer, 2nd Corps, A. N. V.,

and WILLIAM ALLAN, Late Lieut. -Colonel and Chief of Ordnance, 2nd Corps, A. N. V.

"SATURDAY, MAY 2ND.

"Lee and Jackson passed the night under some pine trees on the left of the Plank Road, just where the Confederate line crossed it. The difficulty of attacking the Federal position in front had induced General Lee to order his cavalry to recon- noitre the right flank of the Union Army. During the night they reported favorably to an attack in that direction. At day- break. General Jackson dispatched two of his staff to ascertain if a practicable route existed by which, with speed and secrecy, he might move 'round the flank of the hostile army. The needed information was soon obtained. Seated upon two cracker boxes, the debris of an issue of Federal rations the day before, the Confederate leaders held their consultation. With a map before him. General Jackson suggested an entire circuit of the right of the opposing army, and that the attack should be made in its rear. Lee inquired with what force he could do this. Jackson replied, 'With my whole corps, present.' Lee then asked what would be left to him with which to resist an ad- vance of the enemy towards Fredericksburg. 'The divisions of Anderson and McLaws/ said Jackson. For a moment Lee re- flected on the audacity of this plan in the face of Hooker's superior numbers. With less than forty-two thousand mus-