Battle of Salem Church
Salem Church, Spotsylvania County, Virginia, USA
What happened
The Union VI Corps under John Sedgwick fought Robert E. Lee's Confederates, including troops under Jubal Early and Richard H. Anderson. During the Chancellorsville campaign, Sedgwick's corps marched to join Joseph Hooker's main army but was stopped at Salem Church. Confederate attacks the next day were driven back, but Sedgwick was threatened from three sides. His corps crossed back over the Rappahannock River at Banks' Ford.
Why it matters
Sedgwick could not join Hooker. When Hooker heard that Sedgwick had been pushed back, he gave up the campaign.
What came next
The main Union army crossed back over the Rappahannock on the night of 5–6 May and returned to its camp at Falmouth.
Did you know?
On paper the Union corps had about twice as many men as the Confederates facing it, but it still could not break through.
Timeline
- 2 May 1863Jackson's flank march surprises the Union army at Chancellorsville.
- 3 May 1863Second Battle of Fredericksburg; fighting begins at Salem Church.
- 4 May 1863Lee attacks Sedgwick.
- 5 May 1863Sedgwick crosses back over the Rappahannock.
- 5–6 May 1863Hooker's army withdraws.