mikecmaps
CAMARILLO
CA USA
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Posts: 207
Joined: 2020
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Fredericksburg 13 12 2020
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Fredericksburg 13 12 2020
Hello all!
Hope not out of line to repost this here where it really belongs
In MHO.
Repost all with my new post at the last, Cheers.
NYGiant
Polo Grounds NY USA Posts: 625
Joined: 2021
This day in World History! Continued
Today 5:19 AM
The Battle of Fredericksburg...
On December 13, 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia repulses a series of attacks by General Ambrose Burnside’s Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The defeat was one of the most decisive loses for the Union army, and it dealt a serious blow to Northern morale in the winter of 1862-63.
Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac in November 1862 after George McClellan failed to pursue Lee into Virginia following the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on September 17. Burnside immediately crafted a plan to move against the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia. This called for a rapid march by the Federals from their positions in northern Virginia to Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock River. Burnside planned to cross the river at that point and then continue south.
The campaign began promisingly for the Union. The army moved quickly down the Rappahannock, but then stalled across the river from Fredericksburg. Due to poor execution of orders, a pontoon bridge was not in place for several days. The delay allowed Lee to move his troops into place along Marye’s Heights above Fredericksburg. The Confederates were secure in a sunken road protected by a stone wall, looking down on the open slopes that stretched from the edge of Fredericksburg. So strong was the Confederate position that one Rebel officer claimed “a chicken could not live on that field when we open on it.”
Burnside decided to attack anyway. On December 13, he hurled 14 attacks against the Confederate lines. Although the Union artillery was effective against the Rebels, the 600-yard field was a killing ground for the attacking Yankees. No Union soldiers reached the wall at the top of Marye’s Heights, and few even came within50 yards of it. “It is well that war is so horrible, or else we should grow too fond of it,” Lee observed to General James Longstreet as they watched the carnage. A bitterly cold night froze many of the Union dead and wounded.
Burnside considered continuing the attack on December 14, but his subordinates urged him to stop. On December 15, a truce was called for the Union to collect their dead and wounded soldiers. Burnside retreated northward under the cover of darkness and rain. The one-sided nature of the battle was reflected in the casualty figures. The Yankees suffered around 12,650 killed and wounded, while Lee lost only about 4,200 men. General Joseph Hooker replaced Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac in January 1863.
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This is a nice battlefield to visit. Some of it has been lost to urban development, but the field where the Irish Brigade was sacrificed still remains. If you do go on a tour, make sure you get to see the Swale and the Mill Race.
The Swale is no longer as prominent as it once was, because of road construction and urban development. But parts of it do exist and you have to look for it.
Michigan Dave
Muskegon MI USA Posts: 7198
Joined: 2006
This day in World History! Continued
Today 5:42 AM
Quote:
The Battle of Fredericksburg...
On December 13, 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia repulses a series of attacks by General Ambrose Burnside’s Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The defeat was one of the most decisive loses for the Union army, and it dealt a serious blow to Northern morale in the winter of 1862-63.
Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac in November 1862 after George McClellan failed to pursue Lee into Virginia following the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on September 17. Burnside immediately crafted a plan to move against the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia. This called for a rapid march by the Federals from their positions in northern Virginia to Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock River. Burnside planned to cross the river at that point and then continue south.
The campaign began promisingly for the Union. The army moved quickly down the Rappahannock, but then stalled across the river from Fredericksburg. Due to poor execution of orders, a pontoon bridge was not in place for several days. The delay allowed Lee to move his troops into place along Marye’s Heights above Fredericksburg. The Confederates were secure in a sunken road protected by a stone wall, looking down on the open slopes that stretched from the edge of Fredericksburg. So strong was the Confederate position that one Rebel officer claimed “a chicken could not live on that field when we open on it.”
Burnside decided to attack anyway. On December 13, he hurled 14 attacks against the Confederate lines. Although the Union artillery was effective against the Rebels, the 600-yard field was a killing ground for the attacking Yankees. No Union soldiers reached the wall at the top of Marye’s Heights, and few even came within50 yards of it. “It is well that war is so horrible, or else we should grow too fond of it,” Lee observed to General James Longstreet as they watched the carnage. A bitterly cold night froze many of the Union dead and wounded.
Burnside considered continuing the attack on December 14, but his subordinates urged him to stop. On December 15, a truce was called for the Union to collect their dead and wounded soldiers. Burnside retreated northward under the cover of darkness and rain. The one-sided nature of the battle was reflected in the casualty figures. The Yankees suffered around 12,650 killed and wounded, while Lee lost only about 4,200 men. General Joseph Hooker replaced Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac in January 1863.
Guys,
This has to be one of the most stupid attacks of the whole Civil War! Imagine giving Robert E. Lee days to prepare a battlefield, & then attacking the strongest fortified high ground! Not once but 14 times!? Lincoln could not remove Burnside fast enough!! I guess after Picket's charge at Gettysburg the victorious Union Army chanted Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg! Is this true?? Also the Civil war Trust is live doing a special presentations on the anniversary, live from the battlefield! Perhaps some one could put the website up as a "read more"? Or you can Google it on youtube!??
Pure madness!
What say you??
MD
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"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."
NYGiant
Polo Grounds NY USA Posts: 625
Joined: 2021
This day in World History! Continued
Today 9:38 AM
Burnside attempted to rally his demoralized army for a second offensive, but the plan—later known as the Mud March—was thwarted by heavy rains and failed to materialize. Believing that his officers had been insubordinate during the campaign, Burnside asked Lincoln to either relieve several generals from duty or accept his resignation. Lincoln chose to remove Burnside from command, replacing him with General Joseph Hooker in January 1863.
Phil Andrade
London UK Posts: 5776
Joined: 2004
This day in World History! Continued
Today 12:39 PM
Quote:
Quote:
The Battle of Fredericksburg...
On December 13, 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia repulses a series of attacks by General Ambrose Burnside’s Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The defeat was one of the most decisive loses for the Union army, and it dealt a serious blow to Northern morale in the winter of 1862-63.
Burnside assumed command of the Army of the Potomac in November 1862 after George McClellan failed to pursue Lee into Virginia following the Battle of Antietam in Maryland on September 17. Burnside immediately crafted a plan to move against the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia. This called for a rapid march by the Federals from their positions in northern Virginia to Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock River. Burnside planned to cross the river at that point and then continue south.
The campaign began promisingly for the Union. The army moved quickly down the Rappahannock, but then stalled across the river from Fredericksburg. Due to poor execution of orders, a pontoon bridge was not in place for several days. The delay allowed Lee to move his troops into place along Marye’s Heights above Fredericksburg. The Confederates were secure in a sunken road protected by a stone wall, looking down on the open slopes that stretched from the edge of Fredericksburg. So strong was the Confederate position that one Rebel officer claimed “a chicken could not live on that field when we open on it.”
Burnside decided to attack anyway. On December 13, he hurled 14 attacks against the Confederate lines. Although the Union artillery was effective against the Rebels, the 600-yard field was a killing ground for the attacking Yankees. No Union soldiers reached the wall at the top of Marye’s Heights, and few even came within50 yards of it. “It is well that war is so horrible, or else we should grow too fond of it,” Lee observed to General James Longstreet as they watched the carnage. A bitterly cold night froze many of the Union dead and wounded.
Burnside considered continuing the attack on December 14, but his subordinates urged him to stop. On December 15, a truce was called for the Union to collect their dead and wounded soldiers. Burnside retreated northward under the cover of darkness and rain. The one-sided nature of the battle was reflected in the casualty figures. The Yankees suffered around 12,650 killed and wounded, while Lee lost only about 4,200 men. General Joseph Hooker replaced Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac in January 1863.
Guys,
This has to be one of the most stupid attacks of the whole Civil War! Imagine giving Robert E. Lee days to prepare a battlefield, & then attacking the strongest fortified high ground! Not once but 14 times!? Lincoln could not remove Burnside fast enough!! I guess after Picket's charge at Gettysburg the victorious Union Army chanted Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg! Is this true?? Also the Civil war Trust is live doing a special presentations on the anniversary, live from the battlefield! Perhaps some one could put the website up as a "read more"? Or you can Google it on youtube!??
Pure madness!
What say you??
MD
Not such a one sided affair when the less well known part of the fighting is considered.
There was a major battle on the confederate right, too, in which the yankees made progress and gave the rebels a rough time.
People think of the slaughter of the bluecoats at Marye’s Heights, and with good reason , with a six or seven fold disparity of bloodshed in favour of the South. On the other wing of the federal attack, it was close to parity.
Burnside was badly served by the administration in Washington, and was pressured into making a desperate attack after having been deprived of the pontoon material he’d been requesting.
Significantly, Burnside retained the affection and respect of his soldiers.
A discordant note I’m striking here, but I think he’s worthy of some sympathy.
Regards, Phil
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"Egad, sir, I do not know whether you will die on the gallows or of the pox!" "That will depend, my Lord, on whether I embrace your principles or your mistress." Earl of Sandwich and John Wilkes
dec 14 2022
mikecmaps
“On December 13, he hurled 14 attacks against the Confederate lines. Although the Union artillery was effective against the Rebels, the 600-yard field was a killing ground for the attacking Yankees. No Union soldiers reached the wall at the top of Marye’s Heights, and few even came within50 yards of it. “It is well that war is so horrible, or else we should grow too fond of it,” Lee observed”
This the state of tactics at the time. 1863 Grant attacked Missionary Ridge and won. Part of the difference was Longstreet’s effective defensive measure vs Braggs ineffective preparation.
The lesson of 50 years of warfare was that regular troops would take a position if prepared massed and supported, which Burnside did somewhat.
“On the other wing of the federal attack, it was close to parity.”
I have read one article saying Jackson intentionally planed an ambush killing ground for Meade (no he didn’t know it would be Meade)
[Branch Spalding; Jackson's Fredericksburg Tactics, Military analysis of the civil war 1976; an anthology ed. by T Harry Williams]
Before the action Jackson carefully inspected his troops and position even stopping at the point of the “swampy gap”, he made no change.
Phil’s right much closer fighting there. But losses slightly more advantage to Jackson,
so? Maybe? I not sure. But he did have adequate supports and Meade was beaten back with heavy losses.
PS Jacksons position only 2 miles for 35k+ troops with artillery about
3 men the yard of front and two additional lines behind the line immediately facing the “gap”
thanks, Mike_C
mikecmaps
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