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Chancellorsville's Forgotten Front: The Battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church, May 3, 1863
By May of 1863, the Stone Wall at the base of Marye s Heights above Fredericksburg loomed large over the Army of the Potomac, haunting its men with memories of slaughter from their crushing defeat there the previous December. They would assault it again with a very different result the following spring when General Joe Hooker, bogged down in bloody battle with the Army of Northern Virginia around the crossroads of Chancellorsville, ordered John Sedgwick s Sixth Corps to assault the heights and move to his assistance. This time the Union troops wrested the wall and high ground from the Confederates and drove west into the enemy s rear. The inland drive stalled in heavy fighting at Salem Church. Chancellorsville s Forgotten Front: The Battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church, May 3, 1863 is the first book-length study of these overlooked engagements and the central roles they played in the final Southern victory.Once Hooker opened the campaign with a brilliant march around General Lee s left flank, the Confederate commander violated military principles by dividing his under-strength army in the face of superior numbers. He shuttled most of his men west from around Fredericksburg under Stonewall Jackson to meet Hooker in the tangles of the Wilderness, leaving behind a small portion to watch Sedgwick s Sixth Corps. Jackson s devastating attack against Hooker s exposed right flank on May 2, however, convinced the Union army commander to order Sedgwick s large, unused corps to break through and march against Lee s rear. From that point on, Chancellorsville s Forgotten Front tightens the lens for a thorough examination of the decision-making, movements, and fighting that led to the breakthrough, inland thrust, and ultimate bloody stalemate at Salem Church.Authors Chris Mackowski and Kristopher D. White have long appreciated the pivotal roles Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church played in the campaign, and just how close the Southern army came to grief and the Union army to stunning success. Together they seamlessly weave their extensive newspaper, archival, and firsthand research into a compelling narrative to better understand these combats, which usually garner little more than a footnote to the larger story of Jackson s march and tragic fatal wounding.The success at Second Fredericksburg was one of the Union army s few bright spots in the campaign, while the setback at Salem Church stands as its most devastating lost opportunity. Instead of being trapped between the Sixth Corps hammer and Fighting Joe Hooker s anvil, Lee overcame long odds to achieve what is widely recognized as his greatest victory. But Lee s triumph played out as it did because of the pivotal events at Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church Chancellorsville s forgotten front where Union soldiers once more faced the horror of an indomitable wall of stone, and an undersized Confederate division stood up to a Union juggernaut.REVIEWS Too often historians have treated the battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church as mere footnotes to the greater Chancellorsville campaign. In Chancellorsville s Forgotten Front, Mackowski and White bring the story to the forefront where it belongs, and they do so in a style at once entertaining and evocative. Donald Pfanz, award-winning author of Richard S. Ewell: A Soldier s Life Mackowski s and White s Chancellorsville s Forgotten Front is not just a micro-study of a small portion of a large campaign, but a study of the campaign from the perspective of overlooked battles. Anyone who thinks Second Fredericksburg, Salem Church, and Banks Ford were insignificant engagements are about to discover that the Federals who fought and died in these actions were not left behind simply as decoys, and the fighting so wonderfully researched and described had a direct effect on the entire campaign. Greg Mertz, supervisory historian, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park Most studies of Chancellorsville focus on the fighting around the Chancellor house and on Stonewall Jackson s flank attack and mortal wounding. Few remember the campaign s second front at Fredericksburg and the intense deadly combat at Salem Church, where nearly 30,000 Federal troops of Sedgwick s VI Corps battled for their lives against Jubal Early s division and elements of Longstreet s First Corps. This stunning oversight has finally been corrected by historians Mackowski and White. Their readable, enjoyable, and deeply researched micro-tactical study is a must for anyone interested in Civil War battles in general, and Chancellorsville in particular. Eric J. Wittenberg, award-winning Civil War author Chris Mackowski and Kristopher White s Chancellorsville s Forgotten Front focuses on an overlooked and yet complex part of Fighting Joe Hooker s 1863 effort to defeat Robert E. Lee. Their study is simply first-rate, and should not and cannot be overlooked by anyone trying to understand the full importance of the Chancellorsvil...
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2013
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March 1, 2024
Chancellorsville, while one of the bloodiest battles of the War Between the States, with just over 30,000 total casualties, and being recognized as perhaps the finest tactical achievement of American arms, is still a criminally understudied campaign, and battle, of the War. Chancellorsville was such a multifaceted engagement, however, that it too has a forgotten front.
The battles of 2nd Fredericksburg, Salem Church, and Banks Ford are often skimmed over and breezed through in most accounts of the general Battle of Chancellorsville. This fine book, however, goes a long way towards ensuring that the men from both warring republics did not sacrifice their blood, sweat, tears, and far too many lives, in vain.
The writing is excellent, and the presentation is superb, honestly both standards that are commonplace with books published from Savas Beatie. In terms of bias of the authors, I honestly detected little, if any. The story is told, roughly in equal parts, between the boys from Dixie, and the boys from the North. And the authors clearly admired many of the men, and some of the officers, from both sides.
In any military history, I think this must be an ironclad standard to be lived up to.
Much of the story focuses on two units: the Federal VI Corps, Army of the Potomac, the men who wore the Greek Cross, and Brigadier General Jubal A. Early's Divsion, Army of Northern Virginia, the boys who served under Lee's 'Bad Old Man'. (The Greek Cross was one of the unit symbols Hooker bestowed upon the AoP in his reorganization during the late winter, and early spring of 1862-63, with the Greek Cross being assigned the men of the VI Corps. Lee's often referred to Early, always with a wry grin, as '...my bad old man.' Early was a lifelong bachelor, an atheist, a major deal in such Christian times, rude, cantankerous, aggressively sarcastic, with a biting wit, and a proficient wielder in, and dealer of, profanity. He was the only man of the Army allowed to swear in Lee's presence, and his personality was largely put up with because he was a damned good commander in his own right.)
The authors do an excellent job showcasing the planning for the roles in the operations to come that these two units will take part in, and they spend some time discussing the personality, and command style of both Early and Major General John Sedgwick, commander of VI Corps.
Sedgwick, as the authors contend, and whose judgment I have to agree with, has had an overblown reputation in the historiography of the War. He was, indeed, loved by his men. Sedgwick was one of the few Generals to earn genuine love, admiration, and devotion from his men, and subordinates. And some of the vignettes of him shared throughout the book really do standout in showcasing that, yeah, 'Uncle John' would have been a great man to serve under.
But not one to rely upon when he becomes the central element in your dreams of victory.
Sedgwick lacked aggression, and more importantly, a creative streak, and tended to too literally interpret orders, and then follow them to the letter. All heart, but no brains.
In a fluid, dynamic environment such as a battle, strict adherence to orders is most often a sin, not a virtue. And the wages of said sin are paid by your men.
Hooker's plan for Sedgwick's Corps was to be the trapping arm that closed the ANV into a vise, somewhere in the wilderness, where the superior mass of the AoP would then squeeze it to death. And as the authors show, Hooker's early moves did come close to encircling the ANV, and doing just that, on an operational level.
However, the ANV understood that, when outgunned, and outnumbered, being tactically aggressive can often be a potent force multiplier, and indeed it was. Aggressive Southern reactions to Hooker's initial encircling movements threw him, and his plan off guard, changing the entire direction, and tempo of the ensuing multi-day battle.
Sedgwick and the VI Corps were meant to push across the Rappahannock, seize Fredericksburg and establish a bridgehead, seize the heights beyond the town, and then drive inland, hopefully, into the Confederate rear.
A genuinely fine plan that was upended not by Early's aggressiveness (his Division was holding the Fredericksburg area, and was spread too thinly, observing and defending all the possible crossing points, to be aggressive), but rather by 'Uncle John's' tardiness, and general methodical nature. The time bought by Sedgwick's slowness allowed both Lee to focus on the main engagement around Chancellorsville, while Early was likewise able to snag some reinforcement when Sedgwick finally did begin his offensive.
It must be said that the Federals clearing of Marye's Heights, the site of their bloodsoaked catastrophe the December prior, was masterfully done. The VI Corps, rightly so, earned its reputation here for its innovative, hard hitting tactical offensives. It would be the VI which would, at the end, break the ANV's lines around Petersburg, beginning the retreat to Appomattox. And they introduced their uniquely American line breaking offensive here, at the 2nd Battle of Fredericksburg, which would prove to be the only bright spot in the entire campaign for the Federals.
As Early's Divsion was driven off, albeit in good order (though Barkesdale's Mississippi Brigade was very roughly handled when they were tossed off the Heights), Sedgwick took far too much time in massing his Corps for the drive into the Rebel rear. This gave Lee the time needed to manhandle and maul the Federals around Chancellorsville, and to then form a defensive line (splitting his already outnumbered host for a third time in doing so) around Salem Church to block the eventual advance of the VI Corps.
The ensuing Battle of Salem Church is one of the forgotten engagements of the War, and it should be better remembered. If for no other reason than for the memory of the men in blue and grey who struggled, suffered, and died there. The VI Corps' assault washed against the Southern line, and while at times bent it, did not break it, and a Southern counterattack won the day, and drove the VI Corps from the field.
Now, with both Hooker's main segment of the AoP on the northern bank of the Rappahannock, and with Sedgwick retreating towards Banks Ford to cross over to safety himself, the Confederates put the pressure on to win a truly decisive victory. Early's men had already cutoff the VI Corps' main avenue of retreat by cutting in behind them and retaking Fredericksburg and the Marye's Heights, forcing the Federals to pull back northwards. Lee determined to smash them in a night assault.
Despite their sheer exhaustion, and the general confusion inherent in night engagements (especially pre modern technology), the Confederates pushed the Federal rear guard hard, and smashed quite a bit of it. But not enough to rout the VI Corps, or to fatally weaken the AoP. Although the South had won a titanic success during this campaign, especially as they were outnumbered over 2-1, they simply lacked the resources to turn a magnificent tactical, and operational triumph into a lasting strategic one.
This really was a fine book, and I genuinely recommend anyone who is interested in the War Between the States, or military history in general to grab a copy. Very highly recommended.
The battles of 2nd Fredericksburg, Salem Church, and Banks Ford are often skimmed over and breezed through in most accounts of the general Battle of Chancellorsville. This fine book, however, goes a long way towards ensuring that the men from both warring republics did not sacrifice their blood, sweat, tears, and far too many lives, in vain.
The writing is excellent, and the presentation is superb, honestly both standards that are commonplace with books published from Savas Beatie. In terms of bias of the authors, I honestly detected little, if any. The story is told, roughly in equal parts, between the boys from Dixie, and the boys from the North. And the authors clearly admired many of the men, and some of the officers, from both sides.
In any military history, I think this must be an ironclad standard to be lived up to.
Much of the story focuses on two units: the Federal VI Corps, Army of the Potomac, the men who wore the Greek Cross, and Brigadier General Jubal A. Early's Divsion, Army of Northern Virginia, the boys who served under Lee's 'Bad Old Man'. (The Greek Cross was one of the unit symbols Hooker bestowed upon the AoP in his reorganization during the late winter, and early spring of 1862-63, with the Greek Cross being assigned the men of the VI Corps. Lee's often referred to Early, always with a wry grin, as '...my bad old man.' Early was a lifelong bachelor, an atheist, a major deal in such Christian times, rude, cantankerous, aggressively sarcastic, with a biting wit, and a proficient wielder in, and dealer of, profanity. He was the only man of the Army allowed to swear in Lee's presence, and his personality was largely put up with because he was a damned good commander in his own right.)
The authors do an excellent job showcasing the planning for the roles in the operations to come that these two units will take part in, and they spend some time discussing the personality, and command style of both Early and Major General John Sedgwick, commander of VI Corps.
Sedgwick, as the authors contend, and whose judgment I have to agree with, has had an overblown reputation in the historiography of the War. He was, indeed, loved by his men. Sedgwick was one of the few Generals to earn genuine love, admiration, and devotion from his men, and subordinates. And some of the vignettes of him shared throughout the book really do standout in showcasing that, yeah, 'Uncle John' would have been a great man to serve under.
But not one to rely upon when he becomes the central element in your dreams of victory.
Sedgwick lacked aggression, and more importantly, a creative streak, and tended to too literally interpret orders, and then follow them to the letter. All heart, but no brains.
In a fluid, dynamic environment such as a battle, strict adherence to orders is most often a sin, not a virtue. And the wages of said sin are paid by your men.
Hooker's plan for Sedgwick's Corps was to be the trapping arm that closed the ANV into a vise, somewhere in the wilderness, where the superior mass of the AoP would then squeeze it to death. And as the authors show, Hooker's early moves did come close to encircling the ANV, and doing just that, on an operational level.
However, the ANV understood that, when outgunned, and outnumbered, being tactically aggressive can often be a potent force multiplier, and indeed it was. Aggressive Southern reactions to Hooker's initial encircling movements threw him, and his plan off guard, changing the entire direction, and tempo of the ensuing multi-day battle.
Sedgwick and the VI Corps were meant to push across the Rappahannock, seize Fredericksburg and establish a bridgehead, seize the heights beyond the town, and then drive inland, hopefully, into the Confederate rear.
A genuinely fine plan that was upended not by Early's aggressiveness (his Division was holding the Fredericksburg area, and was spread too thinly, observing and defending all the possible crossing points, to be aggressive), but rather by 'Uncle John's' tardiness, and general methodical nature. The time bought by Sedgwick's slowness allowed both Lee to focus on the main engagement around Chancellorsville, while Early was likewise able to snag some reinforcement when Sedgwick finally did begin his offensive.
It must be said that the Federals clearing of Marye's Heights, the site of their bloodsoaked catastrophe the December prior, was masterfully done. The VI Corps, rightly so, earned its reputation here for its innovative, hard hitting tactical offensives. It would be the VI which would, at the end, break the ANV's lines around Petersburg, beginning the retreat to Appomattox. And they introduced their uniquely American line breaking offensive here, at the 2nd Battle of Fredericksburg, which would prove to be the only bright spot in the entire campaign for the Federals.
As Early's Divsion was driven off, albeit in good order (though Barkesdale's Mississippi Brigade was very roughly handled when they were tossed off the Heights), Sedgwick took far too much time in massing his Corps for the drive into the Rebel rear. This gave Lee the time needed to manhandle and maul the Federals around Chancellorsville, and to then form a defensive line (splitting his already outnumbered host for a third time in doing so) around Salem Church to block the eventual advance of the VI Corps.
The ensuing Battle of Salem Church is one of the forgotten engagements of the War, and it should be better remembered. If for no other reason than for the memory of the men in blue and grey who struggled, suffered, and died there. The VI Corps' assault washed against the Southern line, and while at times bent it, did not break it, and a Southern counterattack won the day, and drove the VI Corps from the field.
Now, with both Hooker's main segment of the AoP on the northern bank of the Rappahannock, and with Sedgwick retreating towards Banks Ford to cross over to safety himself, the Confederates put the pressure on to win a truly decisive victory. Early's men had already cutoff the VI Corps' main avenue of retreat by cutting in behind them and retaking Fredericksburg and the Marye's Heights, forcing the Federals to pull back northwards. Lee determined to smash them in a night assault.
Despite their sheer exhaustion, and the general confusion inherent in night engagements (especially pre modern technology), the Confederates pushed the Federal rear guard hard, and smashed quite a bit of it. But not enough to rout the VI Corps, or to fatally weaken the AoP. Although the South had won a titanic success during this campaign, especially as they were outnumbered over 2-1, they simply lacked the resources to turn a magnificent tactical, and operational triumph into a lasting strategic one.
This really was a fine book, and I genuinely recommend anyone who is interested in the War Between the States, or military history in general to grab a copy. Very highly recommended.
April 6, 2015
Just as the title states, both Chris Mackowski and Kristopher D. White look into the forgotten area of the Chancellorsville Battle. The general idea of the battle tends to be grand scheme of Stonewall Jackson’s Flank Attack against the Eleventh Corps while the analysis usually ends with the wounding of the commander. This book attempts to fill the void in study of the battle and does so in a phenomenal fashion. By analyzing the actions of General Sedgwick and the Sixth Corps, this book gives us evidence that there is always something new to write about in the Civil War, a field where many are starting to think there is nothing new under the sun.
Chris Mackowski, Ph.D., is an author of many other Civil War studies and is a professor in the school of journalism and Mass Communication at Saint Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York. Mackowski is also a historian at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Park where he gives tours of the four major battlefields of the area including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. He also gives tours of the building where Stonewall Jackson died. Kristopher D. White is a historian for the Penn-Trafford Recreation Board and is also a continuing education instructor for the Community College of Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served as a military historian at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park as is a former Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg. He also has a Master of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University.
As stated in my introduction, this book deals with the actions of the Sixth Corps and General Sedgwick during May 3rd, 1863. Both Mackowski and White use a very engaging narrative to bring life to this little known aspect of the battlefield. Throughout the text, the action takes us to the “Second Battle of Fredericksburg” and Salem Church and also gives some background into why General Hooker used Sedgwick as a Scapegoat for his report on the battle. As I read through the book, which is supported by photographs and maps, I began to wonder why we do not study this area of battle especially when Sedgwick and his men held their own. Both admit that there were some commanders who performed poorly in the Sixth Corps, but there were also many others who performed with great courage and ease. The authors also state that one of the reasons Second Fredericksburg is a forgotten area of the battlefield is because it is seen in Confederate memory as a loss though the battle at Salem Church was a victory. Without ruining much more for the readers, I happily say that this book is a welcome addition to the study of the Chancellorsville campaign.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the battles and campaigns of the Civil War. This is not only a book for people interested in the Chancellorsville campaign, but for people who wish to study strategy and tactics of the war along with the politics in the military which plagued the eastern theater of the conflict for the Union. The narrative is easy to follow and there is never any question as to what is going on because of the wonderful maps and photographs which are supplied by the authors. I praise both Mackowski and White for what they have brought to the forefront of Civil War study and hope that they continue to supply works such as these into the realm of Civil War academia.
Matthew Bartlett - Gettysburg Chronicle
Chris Mackowski, Ph.D., is an author of many other Civil War studies and is a professor in the school of journalism and Mass Communication at Saint Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York. Mackowski is also a historian at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Park where he gives tours of the four major battlefields of the area including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. He also gives tours of the building where Stonewall Jackson died. Kristopher D. White is a historian for the Penn-Trafford Recreation Board and is also a continuing education instructor for the Community College of Allegheny County near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served as a military historian at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park as is a former Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg. He also has a Master of Arts degree in Military History from Norwich University.
As stated in my introduction, this book deals with the actions of the Sixth Corps and General Sedgwick during May 3rd, 1863. Both Mackowski and White use a very engaging narrative to bring life to this little known aspect of the battlefield. Throughout the text, the action takes us to the “Second Battle of Fredericksburg” and Salem Church and also gives some background into why General Hooker used Sedgwick as a Scapegoat for his report on the battle. As I read through the book, which is supported by photographs and maps, I began to wonder why we do not study this area of battle especially when Sedgwick and his men held their own. Both admit that there were some commanders who performed poorly in the Sixth Corps, but there were also many others who performed with great courage and ease. The authors also state that one of the reasons Second Fredericksburg is a forgotten area of the battlefield is because it is seen in Confederate memory as a loss though the battle at Salem Church was a victory. Without ruining much more for the readers, I happily say that this book is a welcome addition to the study of the Chancellorsville campaign.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the battles and campaigns of the Civil War. This is not only a book for people interested in the Chancellorsville campaign, but for people who wish to study strategy and tactics of the war along with the politics in the military which plagued the eastern theater of the conflict for the Union. The narrative is easy to follow and there is never any question as to what is going on because of the wonderful maps and photographs which are supplied by the authors. I praise both Mackowski and White for what they have brought to the forefront of Civil War study and hope that they continue to supply works such as these into the realm of Civil War academia.
Matthew Bartlett - Gettysburg Chronicle
October 28, 2021
The book is written in an easy to follow style, hurt only by its lapses into contemporary colloquialisms. Otherwise, this is a good and fair account that goes to pains in explaining why commanders made certain decisions. The portrayal of the Federal high command is, with few exceptions, negative and rightfully so. At Chancellorsville the largest Union army ever fielded stole a march on Lee (who did not have three of his divisions) and still lost. No wonder it is considered Lee's best battle.
April 6, 2023
I love this full book account of the Battle of Salem Church. Most accounts are only a chapter at the end of other battle. Book is one of the first coloration of this two authors. They have written more for Emerging Civil War, but this one is from SB Publishing.
Maps are good and there are great notes included. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to know about the Battle of Second Fredericksburg and the Sixth Corps.
Maps are good and there are great notes included. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to know about the Battle of Second Fredericksburg and the Sixth Corps.
August 12, 2021
A fine addition to the historiography of the Chancellorsville Campaign. White and Mackowski present a well researched, tight narrative with well reasoned analysis on this often overlooked portion of the campaign. Well worth the read!
February 27, 2020
Very good book on the two battles, I was really interested in this title as I live about a mile from the Salem Church battlefield.
February 2, 2014
After reading this book I now know more about not only this battle, but the ineptitude of the the leadership of the Army of the Potomac than I ever thought that I would. As the title suggests, Second Fredericksburg gets overlooked and forgotten when Chancellorsville is discussed.
Hooker and his timidness, for lack of a better word, and the death of Jackson are the two things that are remembered about this battle. It is good that a well researched and written book about the work of Sedgwick's VI Corps, and that of the Confederate Army opposing him, has been written and provides us the detailed examination of this important aspect of the battle. It shows just how close of a thing it was. After reading this, I wonder how different the battle and the war might have been if Grant and Sherman were in the East instead of the West, as a lack of aggression and confusion by Hooker and Sedgwick, even though the VI Corps fought well and achieved the only Union victories on the battlefield, cost the Union an opportunity at victory.
An Enjoyable read all around and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Mackowski's work.
Hooker and his timidness, for lack of a better word, and the death of Jackson are the two things that are remembered about this battle. It is good that a well researched and written book about the work of Sedgwick's VI Corps, and that of the Confederate Army opposing him, has been written and provides us the detailed examination of this important aspect of the battle. It shows just how close of a thing it was. After reading this, I wonder how different the battle and the war might have been if Grant and Sherman were in the East instead of the West, as a lack of aggression and confusion by Hooker and Sedgwick, even though the VI Corps fought well and achieved the only Union victories on the battlefield, cost the Union an opportunity at victory.
An Enjoyable read all around and I look forward to reading more of Mr. Mackowski's work.
July 24, 2013
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program. However, I was sent this book in error--I had entered to win a different book. I feel this explanation is necessary as I believe I would have thoroughly enjoyed this book if I was a Civil War buff. It was full of details about battles, troop movement, tactics, etc. that would appeal to a different reader. I loved the general story about how the union blew their advantage, but was not very interested in the minute details of the battle. I WOULD recommend this book to a better student of the Civil War.
May 12, 2014
Generally a good narrative of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church. The maps are generally clear and apropos. There could have been a few more, especially one covering the transition from Second Fredericksburg to Salem Church and thence to Banks Ford. And I don't feel that I learned as much about the battles as I have in other tactical studies. Perhaps its because of the timespan covered.
May 6, 2014
A good accounting of an important part of the Chancellorsville battle that is often overshadowed by the events surrounding Stonewall Jackson's flank movement and wounding.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews