The authorities at Washington, however, did not look with much equanimity upon the possibility of finding Lee's army interposed between them and the Army of the Potomac, so they refused to sanction the plan and it was abandoned.
Nevertheless, in my opinion it was about the best method that could have been devised to check the invasion, provided that Hooker did not lose his water-base; for Lee always showed himself very sensitive whenever his communications with Richmond was threatened.

If that was severed no more _ammunition_ or military supplies would reach him.

The amount of cartridges on hand was necessarily limited.
It would soon be expended in constant skirmishes and engagements, and then he would be helpless and at the mercy of his antagonist.
Consequently, the moment he heard that a portion of the Sixth Corps had crossed and confronted Hill, he directed Ewell and Longstreet to halt at Locust Grove, near Chancellorsville, and be in readiness to return to Fredericksburg to assist Hill in case there was any danger of his being overpowered.

Finding Sedgwick's advance was a mere reconnoissance, the two rebel corps resumed their march to Culpeper.
Hooker deemed it essential to success, that all troops connected with the theatre of invasion should be placed under his command, so that they could act in unison.

In his opinion most of their strength was wasted in discordant expeditions, which were useless as regards the general result.