The Battle of Fredericksburg ~Paige Cooley~

November- December 1862 Union Commander Ambrose E. Burnside plans to take Richmond Confederate Commander Robert E. Lee stations his troops in Fredericksburg and Stonewall Jackson’s troops follow Burnside’s plan – use superior numbers to drive through Fredericksburg Union bridge builders couldn’t complete the pontoons because of Confederate fire Burnside orders troops to use the pontoon boats to secure the other side of the river – first opposed river crossing in American military history Union successfully crossed the river Dec 12, Burnside pushed all his troops across the pontoon bridges

Prospect Hill and Slaughter Pen Farm Fight – December 13, 1862 Major John Pelham advanced one of his guns which delayed an entire Union Corps and prematurely revealed the Union’s plan. For nearly an hour, the Union forces attacked back. Union troops sneak through a vulnerable spot in Jackson’s wall The Union advances but is pushed back by Jackson’s troops Confederate’s took over the railroad embankment Slaughter Pen Farm looking towards Prospect Hill.

Marye’s Heights Fight – December 13, 1862 Confederate troops were on top of Marye’s heights and the Union troops had to cross an open field and mill race The Union sent brigade after brigade and each one failed The Union had to continue to send regiments because the plan demanded that pressure on the Confederate left be kept 5000 determined Rebels held back an entire army and there were only 1000 Confederate casualties Under the cover of nightfall and rain, Burnside and troops slipped back to the North. Ambrose E. Burnside

The Battle of Fredericksburg A Confederate Victory Union Commander Ambrose E. Burnside 137,000 troops 13,00 casualties Confederate Commander Robert E. Lee 80,000 troops 4,500 casualties