May 1–4, 1863Reputable sourceWell documented
The Battle of Chancellorsville
On the timeline · around May 1–4, 1863 ·
What happened
Outnumbered nearly two to one, Lee boldly divided his army and sent Stonewall Jackson on a sweeping flank march that crushed the Union right. Often called Lee's greatest victory, the battle came at a terrible cost: Jackson was mortally wounded by his own men.
Why it matters
The victory emboldened Lee to launch his second invasion of the North — but the loss of Jackson robbed him of his finest lieutenant.