How was lee able to defeat hooker With 45000 men in May 1863?

In May 1863, General Robert E. Lee was able to defeat Union General Joseph Hooker at the Battle of Chancellorsville despite being outnumbered, with approximately 60,000 Confederate troops against Hooker's 45,000. Lee's victory was largely due to his bold strategy of splitting his forces, sending Stonewall Jackson on a flanking maneuver that caught the Union army by surprise. This audacious move allowed the Confederates to engage the enemy effectively and exploit their weaknesses, leading to a decisive Confederate victory. Additionally, Lee's leadership and the morale of his troops played crucial roles in overcoming the numerical disadvantage.