The American Civil War: The Battle of Fredericksburg
The American Civil War was a conflict between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America. During this four year conflict, both sides of the war sought to gain control of various territory within the United States. One such conflict was the Battle of Fredericksburg, which took place in Virginia on December 13, 1862. Here, Union troops led by General Ambrose Burnside suffered significant losses against the Confederate troops under General Robert E. Lee.
Background of the Battle of Fredericksburg
On November 5, 1862, General Ambrose Burnside succeeded General George McClellan as the commander of the Union Army of the Potomac. This new leadership changed the tactics of the Union, as Burnside decided to launch an offensive against Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The city at the time was a strategically valuable target, as it was the gateway to Confederate-held Richmond, Virginia.
Burnside took command of the Union Army and began to march towards Fredericksburg. By the time they had arrived, Lee had fortified the battle line and was in a defensive stance. On December 13th, Union troops began their assault on Confederate forces at the Fredericksburg Heights. The Union troops led a two-pronged attack, but were soundly defeated by the Confederate troops.
Union Strategy
The Union strategy was to move swiftly and launch a two-pronged assault on the Confederate line. One force would cross the Rappahannock River and move on Fredericksburg, while the other moved on Lee’s army at the opposite side of the river. They planned on using their numerical superiority to make a strong push and overwhelm the Confederate forces.
Confederate Strategy
The Confederate troops had mapped out their strategy before the Union forces arrived. When Burnside’s troops began their assault, the Confederate troops were entrenched in their positions, which provided them with a great defensive advantage. Lee also held the defensive high ground of Marye’s Heights, making it difficult for the Union troops to break through the Confederate line.
The Battle
On December 13, 1862, Union troops began their rushed offensive on the heavily defended Confederate lines. The troops faced a difficult position, as Confederate troops were able to rain fire down upon them from the high position of Marye’s Heights. Union troops were worn down by the Confederate line, and unable to break through the Confederate troops, they were forced to retreat.
Aftermath
The Union troops suffered an overwhelming defeat, with 12,700 troops being killed, wounded or captured. On the Confederate side, losses were much lower with 5,309 men killed, wounded or captured. This marked the Union’s worst casualties of any battle during the American Civil War.
Civil War Impact
The Battle of Fredericksburg proved to be a turning point in the American Civil War. Although the Union troops initially advanced, their attempts to break the Confederate line ultimately failed and ended in further losses and destruction. This ultimately weakened the Union troops, and served as a harsh blow to morale of the troops, as it showed the reality of the destruction of war.
Today, the Battle of Fredericksburg is remembered as one of the most significant battles of the American Civil War. It was an example of how strategy and preparation were essential when engaging in warfare, and how a well-planned and entrenched defense could be enough to repel much larger forces. The ultimate defeat showed how a smaller force could have a great effect on the psychology of a larger force and ultimately prove victory. To this day, it serves as an important and often overlooked battle in the history of the United States.
