- In the Civil War Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1-6, 1863) Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson (Conf.) makes his famous flanking attack on the Union lines west of the Chancellorsville Courthouse along the Orange Turnpike.
- As historian Robert K. Krick has pointed out, the element of surprise, which contributed to Jackson's success, could not have been achieved without the preceding two days of spring showers.
- The rain had wet the road and prevented a column of dust from giving away the men as they marched on the union forces.
