By early 1863, the Federals held large chunks of Southern territory, supply shortages plagued the South, and foreign recognition remained elusive.1 In the West, Ulysses S. Grant’s army threatened Vicksburg, Mississippi. In the East, Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was in winter quarters, cold and hungry but encouraged by the winter defensive victory at Fredericksburg the previous December.
General Lee contemplated a move north of the Potomac River as early as February 23.2 Major General Joseph Hooker interrupted Lee’s planning in late April when he put his Army of the Potomac into motion toward Richmond. Despite the absence of Lt. Gen. James Longstreet and two First Corps divisions (on duty in southwestern Virginia) and being heavily outnumbered, Lee moved to meet Hooker at Chancellorsville in early May and scored one of the most stunning victories of the war. However, Lt. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was mortally wounded and casualties were heavy.
The loss of Jackson prompted Lee to reorganize his army (something he had contemplated for some time) to improve its efficiency and make it easier to handle. He divided his infantry into three corps (three divisions each) and reorganized his artillery. Richard S. Ewell was promoted to lieutenant general to replace Jackson at the head of the Second Corps. The new Third Corps was created for Ambrose P. Hill, who was also promoted to lieutenant general.
Lee’s thoughts turned once again to an invasion of the North. His reinforced army numbered as many as 75,000 soldiers—far more than he had for his earlier invasion that had ended in a bloody tactical draw and strategic defeat at Sharpsburg (Antietam) the previous September. Virginia needed a respite from war, the shock of an invasion might dispirit Northerners, and a decisive military success on foreign soil might ease the pressure against Vicksburg and compel other nations to recognize the Confederacy. The rich farms and towns of Pennsylvania also offered food, forage, and supplies for Lee’s army. First, Lee had to convince President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. Davis wanted to send troops west to relieve Vicksburg. Lee, however, prevailed.
His plan was bold. He would leave A. P. Hill’s Third Corps in front of Fredericksburg to watch the Federal army while his other two corps slipped around the enemy right flank and pushed north down the Shenandoah Valley, using the Blue Ridge Mountains to screen his movements.3
Two of Longstreet’s divisions led the way north. Lafayette McLaws’ men broke camp near Fredericksburg and marched for Culpeper Court House on the morning of June 3. According to Samuel Pickens, 5th Alabama (O’Neal’s Brigade), “it was a very warm day & we were in a cloud of dust most of the time…my eyes, mouth, face & hair were covered with dust.”4 John Hood’s Division on the Rapidan River moved later that day. George Pickett’s Division remained far to the south at Hanover Court House. Two divisions of Richard Ewell’s Second Corps (Jubal Early and Edward Johnson) stayed in camp near Hamilton Crossing, while the third division under Robert Rodes began moving north on June 4.5 Hood arrived at Culpeper about 1:00 p.m. that day; McLaws stopped at Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan; Rodes camped about one mile from Spotsylvania Court House. Hill’s Corps remained around Fredericksburg.6
Hooker’s seven corps remained in their camps north of the Rappahannock River. John F. Reynolds’ I Corps and John Sedgwick’s VI Corps camped near White Oak Church, Winfield S. Hancock’s II Corps near Falmouth, Daniel E. Sickles’ III Corps at Boscobel, George G. Meade’s V Corps near Banks’ and United States fords, Oliver O. Howard’s XI Corps near Brooke’s Station on the Aquia Creek Railroad, and Henry Slocum’s XII Corps near Stafford Court House and Aquia Landing. Two cavalry divisions, commanded by Brig. Gens. John Buford and David McMurtrie Gregg, remained near Warrenton Junction, while the third, under Colonel Alfred Duffié, occupied the area around Brooke’s Station.7