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The Battle of Salem Church took place on May 3–4, 1863, during the Chancellorsville Campaign. After Union forces under Gen. John Sedgwick captured Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg, they advanced west toward Chancellorsville to join the main Union army led by Gen. Joseph Hooker. Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, although facing a much larger Union force, divided his army and sent troops to block Sedgwick’s movement.

 

On May 3rd, Confederate soldiers commanded by Gen. Lafayette McLaws and Gen. Richard H. Anderson confronted the Union advance near Salem Church, a small brick church along the Orange Plank Road.  The ensuing fighting was intense but limited in size compared to other battles in the Chancellorsville Campaign.  Confederate troops successfully halted the Union attack, preventing Gen. Sedgwick from reaching Chancellorsville and linking up with Hooker’s forces.

 

Fighting continued on May 4th as Confederate Gen. Jubal Early attacked Sedgwick’s rear, putting the Union forces in danger of being surrounded.  As a result, Sedgwick withdrew his troops across the Rappahannock River.  The Confederate victory at Salem Church played an important role in securing Gen. Robert E. Lee’s overall success at Chancellorsville and demonstrated the effectiveness of Confederate coordination and leadership despite being outnumbered.