Confederate dead at the stonewall outside Fredricksburg, May 1863. This was the same stonewall so bitterly contested in December 1982 during the battle of Fredricksburg.
In the first week of May, 1863, Robert E. Lee disregarded some basic rules of warfare to inflict a stunning defeat on the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville. While the win was triumphant, it led to several bad things for Lee. First was the loss of Stonewall Jackson, who died 150 years ago today on May 10, 1863. Second was the confirmation to Lee that the Army of the Potomac was so inept that he could defeat them on any field at any time. This attitude led to Pickett's charge at Gettysburg in July.
