Winter War on the Rappahannock

In November 1862, Union Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside led his 115,000-man army southward toward Richmond, the Confederate capital. Delayed by tardy pontoon boats, Burnside was slow to cross the Rappahannock River, which allowed Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee time to block the Union advance with his 78,000 men near Fredericksburg.

On December 13, Burnside launched a two-pronged attack, the first of which was made across these fields. Despite the prospect of success, Union troops ultimately suffered heavy casualties and retreated. Burnside's second attack against the Confederate left on Marye's Heights fared even worse - no Federal soldiers even reached the Confederate line.

Two days later, Burnside retreated across the Rappahannock. Lee had inflicted a punishing 13,000 casualties on the Union army while only suffering 5,000 of his own. Lee followed up his victory with another at Chancellorsville that spring and embarked upon an invasion of the North soon after.

"Considerable nerve is required to march steadily against such murderous fire as that at Fredericksburg."
-Pvt. Bates Alexander, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, USA

"It was a terribly grand scene - line after line of the foe were moved upon our brave troops, but they stood their ground manfully & finally broke the enemies lines. My heart swelled with joy & pride at the sight."
- Gen. Montgomery D. Corse, CSA

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