Map shewing [sic] advance of 6th Army Corps (Genl. John Sedgwick U.S.A.) to assist Gen. Hooker at Chancellorsville.

In January of 1863 Joseph Hooker replaced Ambrose Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac. His first order of business was to dislodge R. E. Lee from his position outside of Fredericksburg. Hooker envisioned a two-prong approach, with half his army attacking on Lee's left, while the other half, under the command of John Sedgwick, made a diversionary attack across the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg. Hooker's flanking movement was thwarted and his troops were forced to take refuge in the Wilderness. Sedgwick, having finally succeeded in crossing the river and intent on moving to Hooker's relief, was met instead with strong Confederate resistance and forced back across the Rappahannock. Hooker abandoned his position after six days of heavy fighting, moving his forces back north of the river on May 6.