Cavalry Operations and their Effects on the Chancellorsville Campaign
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to establish the effects of cavalry operations, both Federal and Confederate, on the Chancellorsville Campaign of the American Civil War. The primary source used for the study was the 'War of Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Confederate and Union Armies.' In analyzing the campaign, several factors emerge which help to explain Lee's victory and Hooker's defeat. One of these factors is the manner in which each commander employed his cavalry assets. Among the major conclusions of the study are as follows: -- (1) federal cavalry operations produced no beneficial effects for the Army of the Potomac; (2) the failure of Federal cavalry to produce significant results at Chancellorsville was due to the methods General Hooker used to employ his cavalry assets; (3) the Federal defeat at Chancellorsville was due, in part, to lack of cavalry support on the main battlefield; (4) confederate cavalry was properly employed at Chancellorsville, and (5) the effectiveness of Confederate cavalry contributed significantly to Lee's victory.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 11, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA029993
Entities
People
- Charles O Smith
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College