Decisions and Consequences: The First Shots at Chancellorsville, May 1, 1863

At the beginning of the Battle of Chancellorsville, the US Army of the Potomac stole a vital march on the Confederates at Fredericksburg and threatened to catch them in a vise. Hooker's initial approach and subsequent decision to withdraw had profound consequences on the battle. We will examine the area of the heaviest fighting on May 1 and discuss the decisions that made the Battle of Chancellorsville. The walk will be on well-maintained trails and will cover about one mile including climbing a hill with a moderate to easy slope.