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It is the spring of 1863 at the tail end of April, with the American Civil War now dragging into its third

brutal year with no end in sight. Over the preceding months of winter, a tense, coiled calm

has descended on this region of northeastern Virginia, where the Rappahannock flows. Here, on

either side of that river, two armies are encamped, watching each

other closely. To the north is the Union, vast in its numbers, and newly led by the confident

Major General Joseph Hooker, who is planning an imminent attack across the river. The Confederates

to the south, smaller in their numbers, are led by Robert E. Lee, who is dug in on the river. The Confederates to the south, smaller in their numbers, are led by Robert E. Lee,

who is dug in on the defensive. Their forces will meet in a tangled wilderness near a quiet

crossroads called Chancellorsville. Hooker believing he has outmaneuvered his wily opponent,

but Lee has other plans in store. And what transpires will prove to be

one of the most dangerous gambles of the war, in which one side will win, but at an unimaginable

cost. I'm Don Wildman, and this is American History Hit.

Our guest today is Dr. Bradford Weinman, adjunct professor at Georgetown University Center for Security Studies.

He has written extensively about the Chancellorville campaign, published as part of the U.S. Army Campaigns of the Civil War series.

Okay. part of the U.S. Army campaigns of the Civil War series. Hello, Brad.

Nice of you to join us.

Let's discuss the Battle of Chancellorville.

Indeed.

Let's do it.

...