Battle of Salem Church

Battle of Salem Church Banks' Ford Began: May 3, 1863 Ended: May 4, 1863 Location: Spotsylvania County, Virginia Theater: Eastern Theater Campaign: Chancellorsville Campaign Outcome: Confederate victory Combatants VI Corps, Army of the Potomac Army of Northern Virginia Commanders John Sedgwick Major General, USA Robert E. Lee General, CSA Strength Corps Corps Casualties 5,000 total (US and CS) 5,000 total (US and CS)

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After occupying Marye’s Heights on May 3, Sedgwick’s VI Corps marched out on the Plank Road with the objective of reaching Hooker’s force at Chancellorsville. He was delayed by Wilcox’s brigade of Early’s force at Salem Church. During the afternoon and night, Lee detached two of his divisions from the Chancellorsville lines and marched them to Salem Church. Several Union assaults were repulsed the next morning with heavy casualties, and the Confederates counterattacked, gaining some ground. After dark, Sedgwick withdrew across two pontoon bridges at Scott’s Dam under a harassing artillery fire. Hearing that Sedgwick had been repulsed, Hooker abandoned the campaign, recrossing on the night of May 5–6 to the north bank of the Rappahannock. (NPS summary)