ipl-logo

Robert E Lee Strategy At Chancellorsville Essay

1352 Words6 Pages

Lee’s Strategy at Chancellorsville The American Civil War was fought between the Union and Confederate states within the United States that prolonged from 1861 to 1865. The entire war consisted of around fifty significant major battles in addition to minor battles during the five year time span; one of the major battles in the Civil War was the Battle of Chancellorsville. The Confederate strategy, developed by Confederate General and West Point graduate Robert E. Lee, was considered a risky, but successful scheme. Robert E. Lee’s initiative and superior leadership qualities as General of the Confederate states led his army to the greatest victory during the American Civil War (“Battle of Chancellorsville”, History.com). The Battle of Chancellorsville, …show more content…

Lee composed one of the greatest, boldest strategies of the entire Civil War against the Union army that eventually claimed victory. This plan was a make or break moment for the entirety of the Confederate army. “They split the 40,000 man force at Chancellorsville, with Jackson taking his 28,000 men around to attack the Union right flank. Lee, on the other hand, would exercise personal command of the other 12,000 facing Hooker’s entire 70,000 man force at Chancellorsville (“Battle of Chancellorsville”, New World Encyclopedia). The plan may sound simple, but there were a number of precautions that had to occur for the plan to reach success. The following had to take place: an undetected twelve mile roundabout march from Jackson, tameness of General Hooker, and lastly, the hope of the Union forces being unprepared for the surprise …show more content…

On May 7, the Union lines were withdrawn from Richmond, ending the battle. Even though the Confederate states were victorious, General Robert E. Lee and his army lost a lot of men. With only 52,000 infantry engaged, he suffered more than 13,000 casualties, losing several top generals, most notably Jackson, his most aggressive field commander (“Battle of Chancellorsville”, New World Encyclopedia). Robert E. Lee was in dire need of more men to fill up his army before they could attack more Union territory.
Robert E. Lee’s initiative and superior leadership qualities as Confederate general led his army to victory. Lee’s actions demonstrated a great example of command partnership and the misuse of strategic initiatives. General Lee’s conduct at the Battle of Chancellorsville enabled Southerners to hold their heads up with pride in the face of the North’s final victory (“Battle of Chancellorsville”, New World Encyclopedia). Even when Lee has some rough times in his role as general, he persevered through the adversity and possessed a strong, strategic initiative that led the Confederates north to

Show More
Related

Book Reports On Killer Angels By Shaara

759 Words | 4 Pages

Shaara portrays this in the Killer Angels with a stark contrast in the battle tactics favored by General Lee and General Longstreet. Longstreet is starting to understand that the tide is changing in favor of a newer style of war, with Lee upholding the honorable older code of facing battles head on until a victor emerges. Longstreet makes the argument to Lee that they should retreat South towards the Capitol and entrench themselves to force the Union army to either face them head on, or strike on a separated Union army as they move towards Washington D.C. General Lee would not have this as he adhered to the old style of war to sit out in the open, honorably, and with great maneuvering skill.

Read More

How Did Robert E Lee Die

195 Words | 1 Pages

Lee would use his exquisite leadership in future battles such as the attempt of the Union to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond; he would turn the tables against the Union general George B. McClellan to take

Read More

Robert E. Lee's Defeat At The Battle Of Gettysburg

236 Words | 1 Pages

“Robert E. Lee (1807-70) served as a military officer in the U.S. Army, a West Point commandant and the amazing general of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War 1861-1865. In June 1861, Lee gained command of the Army of Northern Virginia, which he would lead for the rest of the war. Lee and his army achieved great success during the Peninsula Campaign and at Second Bull Run and Fredericksburg, with his greatest victory coming in the bloody Battle of Chancellorsville. In the spring of 1863 Lee invaded the North only to be defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg. With Confederate defeat a near blowout, Lee continued on, battling Union General Ulysses S. Grant in a series of battles in Virginia in 1864-1865 before he finally surrendered

Read More

Robert E. Lee: Revolutionary War Hero

677 Words | 3 Pages

General Lee was a great strategic war general. He won many great battles for the Confederacy. The biggest battle he won was the Battle of Chancellorsville, which was against a larger Union army. Lee was brave and never lost faith in his

Read More

Research Paper On The Battle Of Antietam

1603 Words | 7 Pages

However, Lee then made a surprising move by launching an offensive defense that left a significant number of his troops to defend the heavily armed forces that entrenched into their land. At the end of the war Lee, troops emerged the victor because he was keen on each step that was made by Hooker. Irrespective of the number of men, Lee had Lee struck hard in any chance that Hooker hesitated (Scott Hartwig, 2014). The Confederate army also had the spirit of a must-win situation as compared to the Union Army that depended on their large number not considering the terrain of the land. McClellan's plans were not coordinated and were poorly executed.

Read More

Robert E Lee Accomplishments

1214 Words | 5 Pages

The Civil War was fought by some of the most tactical minds the United States at that time. One such man was the Confederate general Robert E. Lee. Mr. Lee is arguably one of the most cunning leaders to have ever fought with or against the United States. Robert E. Lee was given limited men, limited supplies, and limited equipment to wage war against the Union (a military superpower at the time) and was able to drag the war out much longer than it ever should’ve lasted. Lee’s home life and childhood beginnings are what shaped him into the military mastermind he quickly became.

Read More

Break Away Or Secede Dbq Essay

1214 Words | 5 Pages

Many southerners believed that they should break away or secede, from the United States. In December 1860, almost two months after Abraham Lincoln was elected president South Carolina decided to secede. By February 1, 1861, six more states – Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas-had seceded. Representatives from the seven seceding states meet in Montgomery, Alabama. On February 8, they formed their own government.

Read More

Lee And Pickett Win The Civil War Essay

733 Words | 3 Pages

Lee tries to stir up a plan, but fails when one of his officers lost his copy of his orders. Rumor has it that Lee wanted to separate his troops in four groups and send them in separate directions. Later that day two Union officers found Lee’s plans that the Confederate soldier had lost and brought it to their General George B. McClellen. However McClellen did not attack right away, so in effect, that gave Lee an advantage to gather his troops.

Read More

Robert E Lee Research Paper

1443 Words | 6 Pages

Lee was against succession and was a proud U.S. Army Commander. He had been the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy and was a very successful Army Officer. He loved the U.S. and the Army. “The South, in my opinion, has been aggrieved by the acts of the North, as you say. I feel the aggression, and am willing to take every proper step for redress.

Read More

Robert E Lee Qualities

879 Words | 4 Pages

Davis wanted Lee to command the Confederate Army. Ultimately, Robert E. Lee, a man of great character who valued relationships as the crucial element in leadership, honored those around

Read More

Battle Of Fredericksburg Essay

675 Words | 3 Pages

‘’On the morning of December 11 the engineers went quietly to work to construct five pontoon bridges for the passages of the Natinal army’’. Fredericksburg army were dislodged by a party that crossed hundreds of troops across by boats and the bridges were also rebuilt. the Confederates were ready to attack with 300 cannons well placed on the heights. Some of Franklin’s corps started the Battle; Jackson’s advice line, under the A.P hill,was pulled back and 200 people were prisinor’s. A fierce attack on Mead made him to fall backwards.

Read More

Battle Of Chancellorsville Essay

1095 Words | 5 Pages

Around April 27th, a few days before the battle, Robert E. Lee had made the decision to steer the location of the battle into the Wilderness by using his regiments to bait the Union army into following his army into the Wilderness. The woody and rough terrain would diminish the Union advantage of large numbers and suit the Confederates more because they would also have homeground advantage and would be able to navigate the Wilderness. The Orange Turnpike and Plank Roads were used by both armies to transport soldiers by way of the road. General Stonewall Jackson turned on the Orange Turnpike Road while marching on his flank attack on General Howard’s XI Corps because the roads provided an easy way and path to march. The Union army had an initial geographical advantage but it was lost to the Confederate army and it helped the Confederates win the Battle of

Read More

Robert Lee's Contribution To The Civil War

1148 Words | 5 Pages

Robert E. Lee’s (1807-1870) contribution to the United States as a war general and commander received positive connotations for his commitment, attitude and inspiration on the battlefield. However, it is debateable about his contributions because of Robert Lee’s association in the Civil War (1861-1865) to the Confederate Army that fought for the Southern States. Robert Lee lead many successful campaigns and battles including the following; helping defeat Mexican armies that lead to U.S land gains and westward expansion, battles against a more powerful army in the Civil War. Despite these achievements Lee’s loyalty for the Confederate Army that fought to uphold slavery undermines his success and is highly debateable about whether his contribution is justified or not. Robert Lee’s contributions to his nation begin before the Civil War in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).

Read More

Battle Of Gettysburg Research Paper

670 Words | 3 Pages

Lee was so fearless he determined to invade the North reiteratively. Robert E. Lee strategy was to drift the fighting away from Virginia and into the Union Territory. He wanted to move the fighting, because the Confederate were under siege in Virginia. Lee hoped to gain recognition from Britain and France for the Confederacy. Joesph Hooker,the Union commander, was exposed to the worst defeat of the Army of Potomac in the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Read More

Battle Of Gettysburg Essay

699 Words | 3 Pages

Lee’s plan was to take 60,000 troops north and take out as many military targets as possible. As his troops traveled north they collected various supplies from every farm and town they came across which strengthened his cause. His main goal was to head to the largest cities in the North which would greatly decimate the northerner’s capability and spirits. While traveling Major General George Meade was positioning his troops between Lee’s troops and the Capital until General Lee learned of his in Pennsylvania. This quickly prompted his attack on Gettysburg where on the first day 50,000 soldiers clashed in battle killing or injuring over 15,000.

Read More

More about Robert E Lee Strategy At Chancellorsville Essay

Related Topics

Open Document