On May 1 , Hooker advanced Self_motion from Chancellorsville toward Lee , but the Confederate general split Destroying his army in the face of superior numbers , leaving Departing a small force at Fredericksburg to deter Hindering Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick from advancing , while he attacked Attack Hooker 's advance with about four-fifths of his army .

That same day , Sedgwick advanced Self_motion across the Rappahannock River , defeated Getting the small Confederate force at Marye 's Heights in the Second Battle of Fredericksburg , and then moved Self_motion to the west .

The Confederates fought Hostile_encounter a successful delaying Change_event_time action at the Battle Hostile_encounter of Salem Church and by May 4 had driven Motion back Sedgwick 's men to Banks ' Ford , surrounding Surrounding them on three sides .

Sedgwick withdrew Escaping across the ford early on May 5 , and Hooker withdrew Escaping the remainder of his army across U.S. Ford the night of May 5–6 .