Meade's Attack

With artillery projectiles flying in every direction, Union Gen. George G. Meade galloped through the fields in front of you, encouraged his men, and looked for an opportunity to attack. When Union artillery blew up two Confederate ammunition chests, Meade took the initiative and ordered his men to charge. His division surged toward Prospect Hill in front of you, where Confederate forces waited.

Meade's troops advanced directly into a 600-yard gap in the Confederate line left unmanned because the swampy ground was mistakenly deemed impassible. Union troops pushed through the swampy woods, wrecked two Confederate brigades, and expanded the size of the gap in the Southern line. Both sides became disorganized and scrambled to regroup. Meade needed reinforcements but none arrived in time. Out of ammunition and out of time, Meade's men found it impossible to hold on.

"I felt sorry for those poor Yankee soldiers as they marched into the very jaws of death."
- Confederate Soldier

"We were now well into the enemy's warm fire. ... The men inclined their heads somewhat as though moving against a driving rain."
-Pvt. Bates Alexander, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, USA

(Sidebar Captions to the Left):
Under Photo of General Meade:
As his attack was faltering, Gen. George G. Meade called upon Gen. David Birney to bring up his division in support. When Birney failed to advance, the notoriously testy Meade rode to the rear and berated Birney in a tone that could "almost make the stones creep" underfoot. Birney hastily organized his division and pushed forward, but it was too little, too late.

Under Drawing of Gen. Gregg:
Confederate Gen. Maxcy Gregg had compiled an impressive record on numerous Civil War battlefields. Fredericksburg was his last. As Meade's men unleashed a devastating volley into Gregg's surprised South Carolina troops, Gregg received a bullet in the spine from which he died two days later.

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Show me all markers in:  Fredericksburg, VA  |  22408  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

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