American Civil War

The land war > The war in the east in 1863

The main area of the eastern campaigns, 1861–65.

In the east, after both armies had spent the winter in camp, the arrival of the active 1863 campaign season was eagerly awaited—especially by Hooker. “Fighting Joe” had capably reorganized and refitted his army, the morale of which was high once again. This massive host numbered around 132,000—the largest formed during the war—and was termed by Hooker “the finest army on the planet.” It was opposed by Lee with about 62,000. Hooker decided to move most of his army up the Rappahannock, cross, and come in upon the Confederate rear at Fredericksburg, while John Sedgwick's smaller force would press Lee in front.

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  Introduction
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  Prelude to war
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  The military background of the war
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    Comparison of North and South
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    The high commands
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    Strategic plans
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  The land war
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    The war in 1861
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    The war in the east in 1862
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      The Peninsular Campaign
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      Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) and Antietam
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      Fredericksburg
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    The war in the west in 1862
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      Trans-Mississippi theatre and Missouri
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      Operations in Kentucky and Tennessee
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    The war in the east in 1863
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      Chancellorsville
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      Gettysburg
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    The war in the west in 1863
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      Arkansas and Vicksburg
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      Chickamauga and Chattanooga
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    The war in 1864–65
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      Grant's overland campaign
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      Sherman's Georgia campaigns
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      Western campaigns
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      Sherman's Carolina campaigns
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      The final land operations
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  The naval war
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  The cost and significance of the Civil War
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  Additional Reading
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    Overviews
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    Personalities and campaigns
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    Social and cultural impact
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    Documentaries