1. The Battle of Fredericksburg, 1862 The Geography Command and Control The Battle The Outcome

2. The Geography Fredericksburg lies at the junction of two rivers with an approach by bridge Overlooked by high ground known as Marye’s Heights, it is a perfect natural defense supported by a stone wall In order to overcome Marye’s Heights an attacker must cross open ground The Heights has been reinforced with rifle pits and artillery

3. General Robert Lee Mexican War veteran, present at Harpers Ferry in 1859 Joins Confederacy because of loyalty to Virginia, not a slave owner A brilliant strategist who takes the battle to his opponents, also uses terrain to his advantage

4. Ambrose Burnside A likeable man but, aware of his limitations as a poor commander Hesitant and fails to follow through with decisiveness Best known for his military blunders and as the originator of the “sideburns”

5. The Opening Moves Both armies are probing one another in early Nov.10 1862 Lee seizes the initiative and moves to Fredericksburg and occupies the area Burnside fails to move swiftly and is in place by Dec 10, 1862

6. The Opening Moves Union Army Burnside’s plan relies on speed, concealment and superior numbers He plans to cross the Rappanock River at three points using pontoon boats and then taking the city while moving troops up the left side of Lee’s position and outflanking him CSA Lee will use terrain, he has city and high ground to use Lee knows Union must attack and will have to dislodge his troops from both city and Marye’s Heights

7. The Opening Moves Union troops failed to take Fredericksburg, they hesitated because of unknown Pontoon boats show CSA that Union plans to cross river way Union outnumbers CSA 2:1 but has telegraphed its strength

8. December 12, 1862

9. December 11, 1862 Union crosses the Rappannock River on the pontoons and enters the outskirts of city CSA are using buildings, and spider holes to pick off Union troops Union will attack city in column formations this overwhelms CSA and they take the city

10. A Confederate General’s point of View “General we can cover that ground…so well that we comb it as with a fine tooth comb. A chicken could not live on that field when we open [fire] on it.” Colonel Alexander Porter Marye’s Heights 11 December 1862

11. December 12, 1862 Burnsides believes that his superior numbers can remove CSA from Marye’s Heights He will launch 6 assaults on the area but will not dislodge the CSA The assaults are nothing more than sending waves of soldiers towards the Heights

12. December 12, 1862 One of the most famous assaults on the Heights was led by the Irish Brigade The Brigade was comprised entirely of Irish immigrants, fighting to prove their patriotism and manhood Men will lie quivering and withering in agony crying for their mothers or begging to be killed

13. December 13, 1862 Union forces will attempt to move on the left side of the CSA The CSA are entrenched in a wooded area but will be pushed back by superior Union numbers The Union forces are unable to hold the ground and withdraw

14. The Aftermath Union losses were 12,000 and CSA losses 4,500 The CSA showed that entrenched forces could hold off superior numbers The Union learned it must maintain secrecy concerning its moves Burnside shows that the Union needs to find a competent general Fredericksburg shows that both sides have the will to continue fighting even in the face of death

15. The Aftermath