A devastating Civil War battle fought from December 11-15, 1862, where Confederate forces under Robert E. Lee decisively defeated Union forces led by Ambrose Burnside, resulting in massive Union casualties during repeated unsuccessful assaults on Marye's Heights.
The Battle of Fredericksburg stands as one of the most significant engagements of the American Civil War fought from December 11-15, 1862. This devastating conflict pitted Union forces under Major General Ambrose E. Burnside against Confederate troops commanded by General Robert E. Lee in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
What started as an ambitious Union campaign to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond turned into one of the most lopsided battles of the Civil War. The engagement marked a crucial turning point in the conflict and demonstrated the growing tactical sophistication of Confederate forces. The battle's timing in the harsh winter months added another layer of challenge to an already complex military operation that would leave an indelible mark on American history.
The Lead-Up to the Battle in Late 1862
#Following President Lincoln's removal of General George McClellan on November 7 1862, Major General Ambrose Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac. Burnside immediately initiated a bold offensive strategy targeting the Confederate capital of Richmond.
Union Army's March to Fredericksburg
#The Army of the Potomac began its march from Warrenton to Fredericksburg on November 15 1862. The 120000-strong Union force moved along the north bank of the Rappahannock River reaching Falmouth on November 17. Burnside's plan relied on crossing the Rappahannock River quickly using pontoon bridges but the crucial bridge-building materials arrived 10 days late on November 25. This delay gave Confederate forces valuable time to strengthen their defensive positions.
Confederate Preparations
#General Robert E. Lee positioned 78000 Confederate troops along Marye's Heights overlooking Fredericksburg. The Confederate army fortified their position by:
- Constructing a 4-mile defensive line along the heights
- Building artillery positions on key elevated terrain
- Reinforcing the Sunken Road with a 4-foot stone wall
- Positioning sharpshooters in buildings throughout Fredericksburg
- Creating interlocking fields of fire across open approaches
| Army Strengths | Number of Troops |
|---|---|
| Union Forces | 120000 |
| Confederate Forces | 78000 |
The Confederate defensive preparations transformed the naturally strong position into an almost impregnable fortress. General James Longstreet's corps occupied the left while Stonewall Jackson's forces defended the right flank of the Confederate line.
Key Dates of the Battle
#The Battle of Fredericksburg unfolded across five critical days in December 1862, marking one of the most significant engagements of the American Civil War.
December 11: The River Crossing
#Union engineers began constructing pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock River at 3:00 AM. Confederate sharpshooters from Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade disrupted the construction with precise rifle fire, forcing Union forces to launch amphibious attacks using pontoon boats. By nightfall, Union troops secured the town after intense urban combat, with 120 boats crossing the river carrying soldiers from the 7th Michigan Infantry Regiment.
December 13: The Main Battle
#The primary engagement commenced at 8:30 AM with Union General Meade's division attacking the Confederate right flank. Confederate artillery unleashed devastating fire on advancing Union troops at Marye's Heights, resulting in 8,000 Union casualties. Union forces launched 14 separate frontal assaults against the stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights, with none breaking through the Confederate defensive line. By sunset, more than 12,600 Union soldiers lay dead or wounded on the battlefield.
| Army | Killed | Wounded | Missing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union | 1,284 | 9,600 | 1,769 | 12,653 |
| Confederate | 608 | 4,116 | 653 | 5,377 |
Major Events During the Four-Day Battle
#The Battle of Fredericksburg unfolded through a series of intense military engagements from December 11-15, 1862. These events transformed the Virginia town into a battlefield marked by urban warfare and devastating frontal assaults.
Urban Combat in the City Streets
#Union forces initiated street fighting on December 11, 1862, after Confederate sharpshooters disrupted bridge construction. The 7th Michigan Infantry led an amphibious assault across the Rappahannock River, using pontoon boats to reach the town. Union troops engaged in house-to-house combat, facing resistance from Mississippi infantry units positioned in buildings along Caroline Street. By evening, Union soldiers secured the town after clearing 200 structures of Confederate defenders.
Assault on Marye's Heights
#The main assault on December 13 targeted the Confederate position at Marye's Heights, resulting in catastrophic Union losses. Union divisions launched 14 separate attacks against the Confederate defensive line:
- 10:30 AM: French's division initiated the first assault
- 11:30 AM: Hancock's division conducted the second wave
- 12:30 PM: Howard's division advanced in the third wave
- 2:00 PM: Sturgis's division led the fourth attack
- 3:30 PM: Getty's division made the final major assault
Confederate forces, positioned behind a stone wall, created interlocking fields of fire that decimated advancing Union troops. The Confederate artillery, arranged in two tiers along Telegraph Road, maintained a constant barrage on Union formations. At day's end, over 8,000 Union casualties lay on the field below Marye's Heights, with none having reached within 50 yards of the Confederate position.
| Time Period | Union Forces | Confederate Position | Distance Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 3 divisions | Stone wall | 200 yards |
| Afternoon | 4 divisions | Telegraph Road | 100 yards |
| Evening | 2 divisions | Marye's Heights | 50 yards |
Military Leadership and Strategy
#The Battle of Fredericksburg demonstrated a stark contrast in military leadership between Union and Confederate forces. The strategic decisions made by both commanding generals directly influenced the battle's outcome.
General Burnside's Fatal Decisions
#General Burnside's tactical errors proved catastrophic for Union forces. His decision to launch repeated frontal assaults against fortified positions cost 14 waves of Union soldiers their lives. The delayed arrival of pontoon bridges on November 19 gave Confederate forces critical time to strengthen their defenses. Burnside's rigid adherence to the original battle plan, despite clear evidence of its failure, resulted in:
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Concentration of troops in urban areas, making them vulnerable to Confederate artillery
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Division of the army into three grand divisions, complicating command structure
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Failure to exploit initial breakthroughs on the Confederate right flank
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Insistence on frontal assaults at Marye's Heights despite mounting casualties
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Placement of artillery on Telegraph Hill providing overlapping fields of fire
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Construction of a sunken road behind a stone wall, offering infantry protection
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Deployment of 9,000 troops in four ranks along Marye's Heights
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Creation of interlocking defensive positions between Prospect Hill and Hamilton's Crossing
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Establishment of infantry reserves for quick response to Union breakthroughs
| Defensive Element | Confederate Advantage |
|---|---|
| Artillery Pieces | 220 guns positioned |
| Infantry Coverage | 800-yard killing zone |
| Elevation | 40-50 foot height advantage |
| Troop Distribution | 2-mile defensive line |
Impact and Casualties of the Battle
#The Battle of Fredericksburg resulted in one of the most lopsided military engagements of the American Civil War, with devastating Union casualties and minimal Confederate losses. The battle's outcome significantly impacted both military strategy and morale during the Civil War.
Union Army Losses
#The Union Army suffered 12,653 casualties during the Battle of Fredericksburg, including:
| Type of Casualty | Number |
|---|---|
| Killed | 1,284 |
| Wounded | 9,600 |
| Missing/Captured | 1,769 |
The majority of Union casualties occurred during the futile assaults on Marye's Heights, where repeated frontal attacks led to catastrophic losses. The 5th New Hampshire Regiment endured the highest regimental losses, with 193 casualties from a single regiment.
Confederate Victory
#The Confederate Army experienced significantly fewer casualties, totaling 5,377:
| Type of Casualty | Number |
|---|---|
| Killed | 608 |
| Wounded | 4,116 |
| Missing/Captured | 653 |
Confederate forces maintained their strong defensive positions throughout the battle, particularly at Marye's Heights where their artillery inflicted heavy damage on advancing Union troops. The sunken road position provided excellent cover for Confederate infantry, allowing them to fire three successive volleys at advancing Union soldiers while remaining protected from return fire.
The disparity in casualties demonstrated the effectiveness of defensive warfare during the Civil War, influencing future military strategies. Confederate General Longstreet's position proved so formidable that he remarked a chicken could not live on the field of fire between his line and the enemy.
Key Takeaways
#- The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought from December 11-15, 1862, between Union forces under Major General Burnside and Confederate forces led by General Robert E. Lee
- The battle resulted in a decisive Confederate victory with significantly lower casualties (5,377) compared to Union losses (12,653)
- Union forces faced devastating defeats during 14 separate frontal assaults against Confederate positions at Marye's Heights, failing to breach the defensive line
- The battle began with Union engineers constructing pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock River on December 11, while the main battle occurred on December 13
- Confederate success was largely due to their strong defensive positions, including a stone wall along Sunken Road and strategic artillery placement on elevated terrain
- The battle's outcome demonstrated the effectiveness of defensive warfare during the Civil War and influenced future military strategies
Conclusion
#The Battle of Fredericksburg stands as one of the most devastating Union defeats in the Civil War. Fought from December 11-15 1862 this engagement demonstrated the power of defensive warfare and the costly consequences of tactical errors. The battle's outcome led to significant changes in military strategy and highlighted the importance of proper planning and execution.
The staggering casualty numbers - over 12000 Union soldiers compared to roughly 5000 Confederate troops - tell the story of a battle that forever changed the course of American military history. Today the battlefield serves as a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made during one of America's most pivotal conflicts.