Very many of the colored citizens of Ohio and other states have had a great desire to assist the government in putting down this injurious rebellion. Since they have heard that the rebels are forming regiments of the free blacks and compelling them to fight against the Union as well as their slaves, they urged me to write and beg that you will receive one or more regiments (or companies) of the colored free States to counterbalance those employed against the Union by Rebels. We are partly drilled and could wish to enter active service immediately.
~ From a letter by William A. Jones, Oberlin, Ohio,
to U.S. Secretary of War, Simon Cameron
The Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia began on May 1, 1863. The Union Army under General Joseph Hooker was on hundred and fifteen thousand strong; the Confederate Army under General Robert E. Lee was just over half of that size. But Lee's brilliant tactics, along with General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's brave advances, proved formidable, and the battle ranks as one of the Confederacy's greatest victories.
Robert E. Lee resigned his commission to the United States Army on April 20, 1861. He stated: "I cannot raise my hand against my birthplace, my home, my children." Lee went to Richmond, where he accepted command of the military and naval forces of Virginia.
Confederate General Richard Taylor was the son of the twelfth president of the United States, Zachary Taylor. General Taylor was known for his training techniques and instilling discipline in his troops.