Part Four, Chapter 52-55 Summary

In Chapter 52, as his men make a strong defense Hancock is told that General Hooker has been wounded. The entire Union army is ordered to pull back and Hancock's men are instructed to act as the rear guard. As he coordinates the retreat, giving orders to his commanders his horse is killed. The retreat is orderly and Hancock reflects on the fact that his men did not lose the battle, the generals did.

In Chapter 53, the Union forces still in Fredricksburg finally attack and drive Lee's small force there off of the hills. Lee sends two more divisions that direction to stop them. The rest of his army must reform, the units scattered all over the thick woods around Chancellorsville. Lee orders his generals to prepare an attack in the morning, believing he can destroy the Union...