Against The Odds #55: Lee’s Greatest Victory

The Chancellorsville campaign, which took place in and around Virginias Wilderness in May 1863, is considered by many to be Robert E. Lees masterpiece, a true triumph against the odds. Opposing Lee was Union commander Joseph Fighting Joe Hooker, who had devised a plan that seemed assured of success. His cavalry would raid deep behind Confederate lines, cutting Lees supplies, while Hooker and four of his seven infantry corps would march west, then south, and appear behind the Confederate defenses opposite the city of Fredericksburg.

Lee would be compelled to withdraw south, in which case he would be pursued, or he would be compelled to attack with his numerically inferior army to avoid being crushed between the hammer and anvil of Hookers forces. May God have mercy on General Lee, for I will have none, Hooker declared.

No plan, however, survives first contact with enemy. With the advantage of interior lines and a great deal of audacity Lee would confound his opponent by continually bringing more rifles to the critical place at the critical time. And it didnt hurt that Lees largest corps was commanded by one Stonewall Jackson. . . .

Features:
-Map – One full color 22″x34″ area mapsheet
-Counters – 176 full color large 5/8″ die-cut pieces
-Rules length – 12 pages
-Charts and tables – 2 pages
-Playing time – Up to 3 hours