How Robert E. Lee's army vanished into the woods

Added: 2026-05-07

[00:00:00]More than 70,000 Union forces crossed the Rappahannock. Another 25,000 would join them before the 3-day battle was over.

[00:00:08]On May 1st, troops clashed at Zoan Church. Lafayette McLaws and his rebels pushed Union forces back. Richard H.

[00:00:17]Anderson halted another advance.

[00:00:19]Hooker then made a critical mistake, ordering a withdrawal to Chancellorsville and allowing Lee to seize the initiative.

[00:00:27]On May 2nd, under Jackson's lead, 30,000 Confederate troops slipped into the dense woods and stealthily moved behind the Union lines.

[00:00:36]At 5:00 p.m., Jackson's men burst from the woods screaming the rebel yell, then routing Union troops of the 11th Corps commanded by Oliver Howard. They pushed Howard and the corps