Kelly’s Ford was a prelude to the Battle of Chancellorsville

Averell was directed by Joe Hooker to assault Fitzhugh Lee in order to accomplish a number of goals. He understood that in order to achieve his overarching objective of defeating Robert E. Lee, a flanking operation around the impenetrable fortifications at Fredericksburg would be necessary. He would need to be aware of the fortifications manning the western fords of the Rappahannock's defenses in order to pull it off.

Averell's expedition would gather crucial information about troop dispositions and offer a real-world examination of Confederate response patterns. Fitzhugh Lee's troop might potentially be destroyed by Averell, taking down the first line of defense on the western bank of the river. The outcome at Kelly's Ford would have a significant impact on the hundreds of thousands of troops involved in the Chancellorsville Campaign.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker commanded three army corps in a maneuver to turn the Confederate left flank by fording the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers beyond Fredericksburg in the final days of April 1863. On April 30 and May 1, the Federals converged in Chancellorsville after passing the Rapidan via Germanna and Ely's Fords.