Joe Hooker ordered Averell to attack Fitzhugh Lee in order to achieve a number of objectives. He knew that his overall goal of crushing Robert E. Lee would first ...
William Henry Fitzhugh "Fitz" Lee, son of Robert E. Lee
his mood blackened further after receiving a vicious reprimand from Joe Hooker. On March 16, he set out to “rout or destroy” Fitzhugh Lee and his command
Fitzhugh Lee counterattacked with a brigade of about 800 men. ... Joseph Hooker, immediately began reorganizing and training his army, in winter
Union Major General Joseph Hooker was upset that Lee had managed to get past his men at Hartwood Church.
and on the 16th dispatched three thousand cavalry under Averell to attack them.
Ultimately, the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major General. Joseph Hooker was defeated by General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern.
Confederate cavaliers under Brigadier General Fitzhugh Lee
drove them back - though he failed to overwhelm - BG Fitzhugh Lee's smaller
Rappahannock and convince Lee that this was the main thrust of the attack.