The Battle of Chancellorsville
A Union army under Joseph Hooker, planning to capture Richmond, Virginia, was defeated by Stonewall Jackson, who was commanding Robert E. Lee's II Corps. Displaying his usual brilliance in flanking operations, Jackson marched beyond the Union's right on May 2nd and attacked it from behind. That night, after a smashing success, Jackson rode beyond his lines to reconnoiter. Upon returning, he was mistaken for a Yankee and wounded by his own men. He died eight days later. Jackson's death made Chancellorsville a decisive battle in the war, for the impetus for Confederate victory in the east died with him.