Hooker knew from a captured despatch which Pleasonton placed in his hands, that Lee was still in Fredericksburg on the 30th, uncertain how to act; for he did not know the strength of Sedgwick's column, and feared that the main attack might come from that direction.

The four corps at Chancellorsville amounted to about forty-six thousand men; and 18,000 more were close at hand under Sickles.

The troops had made but a short march, and were comparatively fresh.

Four miles further on lay the great prize for which Hooker was contending.

He had only to put out his hand to reach it, but he delayed action all that long night and until eleven o'clock of the next morning.