The Battle of Fredericksburg

You are standing on the right of the Confederate army, held by Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's corps on December 13, 1862. His 35,000 troops spread along a mile front - some in the woods, some in fields, some on ridgetops, some in swampy bottoms. In front lay the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad. Some of Jackson's troops used the railroad embankment as a ready-made earthwork.

As dawn broke on December 13, fog obscured the Union army maneuvering on the plain beyond the railroad, concealing the fact that Jackson would be the target of the first major Union attacks that day. When at midmorning the fog rose, a staff officer remarked gloomily on the strength of the Union army forming on the plain. Jackson responded tartly: "Major, my men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never! I am glad the Yankees are coming."

I could see fully half the whole Yankee army, reserves and all. It was a grand sight seeing them come in position this morning; but it seemed that the host would eat us up...
A Confederate artilleryman

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

Dead Horse Hill
Jackson
Hamilton's Crossing
A Southern Memorial
The Meade Pyramid
Fredericksburg Campaign
Death of Maxcy Gregg
Union Breakthrough
The Gallant Pelham
Stuart and Pelham

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