In February, 1863, the Union’s mighty Army of the Potomac was in a bad way.  Two ignominious failures at Fredericksburg had disheartened the once-proud but poorly-led Federal troops.  After the debacle of the failed “mud march” to Fredericksburg in late January, many Union soldiers had just walked away, deserting the army.  President Abraham Lincoln, in his quest to find the man who could lead what should be a superior force to victory over the rebels, had appointed General “Fighting Joe” Hooker to the top post, replacing General Ambrose Burnside.

Changes were immediate as Hooker set out to restore order and confidence to the demoralized army.

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