Is the Richard Kirkland Story True? The political consequences of the Union loss were great in the North. John G. Hazard's Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, to within 150 yards of the Confederate line. Gallagher, p. 23, "nearly 8,000." Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw. 14–23; Welcher, p. 700; Marvel, pp. This page was last edited on 17 December 2020, at 19:25. Brig. Rather than reconsidering his approach in the face of heavy casualties, he stubbornly decided to continue on the same path. Confederate Brig. Gens. That afternoon, Burnside asked Lee for a truce to attend to his wounded, which the latter granted. Fought in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 1115, 1862, it also involved the first major opposed river crossing in the nations history. Reynolds chose his smallest division, about 4,500 men commanded by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, and assigned Brig. Gen. Abner Doubleday's division of the I Corps had been mostly idle, suffering only a few casualties from artillery fire while they waited in reserve. 211–14; O'Reilly, pp. Crossing the Rappahannock. 2–3; Kennedy, p. 145; O'Reilly, p. 137. Burnside's plan was to cross the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg in mid-November and race to the Confederate capital of Richmond before Lee's army could stop him. A visitor to the battlefield described the battle to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln as a "butchery". The morning of December 14 revealed that over 8,000 Union soldiers had been shot in front of the stone wall at Marye's Heights. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Casualties were heavy: II Corps losses for the afternoon were 4,114, Sturgis's division 1,011. The money was provided through a U.S. Congressional appropriation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Hall's brigade, and then two regiments of Brig. The engineers constructing the bridge directly across from the city came under punishing fire from Confederate sharpshooters, primarily from the Mississippi brigade of Brig. Union gunners sent more than 5,000 shells against the town and the ridges to the west. Jackson's main artillery batteries had remained silent in the fog during this exchange, but the Union troops soon began to receive direct fire from Prospect Hill, principally five batteries directed by Lt. Col. Reuben Lindsay Walker, and Meade's attack was stalled about 600 yards from his initial objective for almost two hours by these combined artillery attacks. [13], McClellan's replacement was Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, the commander of the IX Corps. After obtaining permission from his commander, Brig. In addition to his numerical advantage in troop strength, Burnside also had the advantage of knowing his army could not be attacked effectively. Caldwell denied permission. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Confederate forces can be seen in the distance firing on the engineers. Abraham Lincoln relieved Gen. George McClellan of command of the Army of the Potomac. A view of the Confederate defenses from atop Mayre’s Heights with the entrenched artillery in the foreground supporting infantry further downhill behind a stone wall. At 3 p.m., the Union artillery began a preparatory bombardment and 135 infantrymen from the 7th Michigan and the 19th Massachusetts crowded into the small boats, and the 20th Massachusetts followed soon after. By November 23, the corps commanded by Lt. Gen. James Longstreet had arrived and Lee placed them on the ridge known as Marye's Heights to the west of town, with Anderson's division on the far left, McLaws's directly behind the town, and Pickett's and Hood's to the right. It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it. Gibbon's attack, despite heavy casualties, had failed to support Meade's temporary breakthrough and Gibbon himself was wounded when a shell fragment struck his right hand. Miles, realized that the tactics were not working. Massed artillery provided almost uninterrupted coverage of the plain below. 187–97; Goolrick, pp. The program is administered by the American Battlefield Protection Program, an arm of the National Park Service. He told the president, "It was not a battle, it was a butchery. General Lee observed the action and commented about Pelham, age 24, "It is glorious to see such courage in one so young." 166–77; Salmon, pp. Smith, pp. By coincidence, they attacked the area defended by fellow Irishmen of Col. Robert McMillan's 24th Georgia Infantry. To "seize" was typically ordered for positions not occupied by a significant enemy force. Gen. Samuel Sturgis. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The avenue of approach was difficult—mostly open fields, but interrupted by scattered houses, fences, and gardens that would restrict the movement of battle lines. The divisions were French (II Corps), Hancock (II), Howard (II), Sturgis (IX), Griffin (V), Humphreys (V), and Getty (IX). [35], The Confederates withdrew back to the safety of the hills south of town. Gen. Thomas F. Meagher. Gen. John C. Caldwell. 273–323; Rable, pp. Eicher, p. 396; O'Reilly,– pp. Gens. "[60], Lee himself was not as pleased as the rest of the South. Today marks the 155 th anniversary of the Union defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg. [31], —Maj. 396–97; O'Reilly, p. 21; Welcher, pp. It was one of the largest battles of the Civil War in terms of troops involved. Birney claimed that his men had been subjected to damaging artillery fire as they formed up, that he had not understood the importance of Meade's attack, and that Reynolds had not ordered his division forward. Gen. George G. Meade to Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds, afternoon of December 13[32], —Gen. [10][57] Two Union generals were mortally wounded: Brig. Burnside had established a reputation as an independent commander, with successful operations earlier that year in coastal North Carolina and, unlike McClellan, had no apparent political ambitions. When he reached Falmouth, on the north bank of the Rappahannock, Burnside learned that the pontoon bridges that were critical to his operation had not been forwarded from Washington. A dense fog blanketed the ground and made it impossible for the armies to see each other. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles on the right. Maxcy Gregg and T. R. R. Cobb were both mortally wounded. Col. Norman J. On the other side of the Rappahannock, 220 artillery pieces had been located on the ridge known as Stafford Heights to prevent Lee's army from mounting any major counterattacks. 244–52; Goolrick, p. 71; O'Reilly, pp. Sumner's Right Grand Division began crossing at 4:30 p.m., but the bulk of his men did not cross until December 12. Gen. James A. Hardie, who delivered the order, did not ensure that Burnside's intentions were understood by Franklin, and map inaccuracies about the road network made those intentions unclear. The brigade of Col. Joshua Owen went in first, reinforced by Col. Norman J. [48] Confederate losses at Marye's Heights totaled around 1,200. Significance of the Battle of Gettysburg. On the night of December 13, walking wounded made their way to the field hospital while those who were disabled were forced to remain on the battlefield. Although some of the Confederates surrendered, fighting proceeded street by street through the town as the engineers completed the bridges. Official Records, Series I, Volume XXI, Part 1. Any further Confederate advance was deterred by the arrival of the III Corps division of Brig. Battle of Fredericksburg, (December 11–15, 1862), bloody engagement of the American Civil War fought at Fredericksburg, Virginia, between Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Robert E. Lee. While he rode prominently in front of his lines, the partially deaf Gregg could not hear the approaching Federals or their bullets flying around him. [18], The boats and equipment for a single pontoon bridge arrived at Falmouth on November 25, much too late to enable the Army of the Potomac to cross the river without opposition. Check out our animated battle map for Fredericksburg. He accepted only when it was made clear to him that McClellan would be replaced in any event and that an alternative choice for command was Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, whom Burnside disliked and distrusted. Gen. J. H. Hobart Ward. Confederate Brig. 198–245. 5,377 (608 killed; 4,116 wounded; 653 captured/missing) according to Eicher, p. 405. Gen. Nelson Taylor proposed to Gibbon that they supplement Meade's assault with a bayonet charge against Lane's position. Kimball was severely wounded during the assault, and his brigade suffered 25% casualties. The maneuver was successful and by April 30, elements of Hooker's Army of the Potomac had reached the crossroads of Chancellorsville, nine miles in Lee's rear. 246–73; Goolrick, pp. Before the Wall. [54] Details of this story (first recorded in 1880) conflict with multiple after-action reports and may have been embellished and personalized for effect. We had really accomplished nothing; we had not gained a foot of ground, and I knew the enemy could easily replace the men he had lost, and the loss of material was, if anything, rather beneficial to him, as it gave an opportunity to contractors to make money. Birney followed up with the brigades of Brig. Omissions? [66] It consists of more than 8,300 acres that cover parts of four Civil War battlefields â€“ Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Court House, The Wilderness and Chancellorsville. Confederate armies had been on the move earlier in the fall, invading Kentucky and Maryland. Gen. James J. Archer, and Col. John M. Brockenbrough to charge forward out of the railroad ditches, driving Meade's men from the woods in a disorderly retreat, followed closely by Gibbon's. The battle’s outcome—a crushing Union defeat—immeasurably strengthened the Confederate cause. Most of the Confederate casualties at Fredericksburg were from this abortive counterattack. Sumner’s two corps finally completed the crossing on December 12. 166–67, 177–89; O'Reilly, pp. Early's orders to his brigades were to pursue as far as the railroad, but in the chaos many kept up the pressure over the open fields as far as the old Richmond Road. Eicher, pp. Rable, pp. They were hit hard by Confederate sharpshooter and artillery fire and provided no effective relief to Sturgis. Heavy artillery fire from Longstreet's men prevents Union troops from advancing, and thousands are killed. [53], Testament to the extent of the carnage and suffering during the battle was the story of Richard Rowland Kirkland, a Confederate Army sergeant with Company G, 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry. George D. Bayard and Conrad F. Jackson. Rable, pp. "Stonewall" Jackson, whose corps was at that time in the Shenandoah Valley south of Winchester. The 14th Tennessee resisted the onslaught for a time before also breaking; a sizable number of its men were taken prisoner. In perfect line of battle, they advanced up the muddy slope until they were cut down at about 125 yards from the stone wall by repeated rifle volleys. 159–61; O'Reilly, pp. Hall volunteered his brigade for this assignment. The Second Battle of Fredericksburg, also known as the Second Battle of Marye's Heights, took place on May 3, 1863, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as part of the Chancellorsville Campaign of the American Civil War. 89–91. Rather than ordering an attack by the entire grand division of almost 60,000 men, Franklin was to keep his men in position, but was to send "a division at least" to seize the high ground (Prospect Hill) around Hamilton's Crossing, Sumner was to send one division through the city and up Telegraph Road, and both flanks were to be prepared to commit their entire commands. 60–61; Marvel, pp. In the battle, which had the largest concentration of soldiers, more than 170.000 soldiers fought, more than half of them for the Union. Although McClellan had stopped Lee at the Battle of Antietam in September, President Abraham Lincoln believed he lacked decisiveness, did not pursue and destroy Lee's army in Maryland, and wasted excessive time reorganizing and re-equipping his arm… 180–87; Center for Military History, pp. Hill's division's line, a triangular patch of the woods that extended beyond the railroad was swampy and covered with thick underbrush and the Confederates had left a 600-yard gap there between the brigades of Brig. Livermore, p.96; Eicher, p. 397; O'Reilly, p. 10. 67–85; Goolrick, pp. Despite the unlikeliness of this supposition, the V Corps division of Brig. [70], In November 2012, during archaeological investigations at the construction site for a new courthouse, remains of Union artifacts were recovered. 97–98, describes conflicting stories about the nature of Cobb's wound. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Fredericksburg, Civil War Trust - Battle of Fredericksburg, Wisconsin Historical Society - Battle of Fredericksburg, National Park Service - Battle of Fredericksburg History, Learn about the Battle of Fredericksburg during the American Civil War, See an animated map on the defeat of the Union army at the Battle of Fredericksburg during the American Civil War. 50–52; Esposito, map 72; Welcher, pp. Gen George D. Bayard, who commanded a cavalry brigade in the VI Corps, was struck in the leg by a shell fragment and died two days later. Hooker's Center Grand Division crossed on December 13, using both the northern and southern bridges. This database includes lists and narrative reports reporting casualties sustained by Confederate Army units during the war. Brig. Hunt, convinced him to send infantry landing parties over in the pontoon boats to secure a small bridgehead and rout the sharpshooters. Franklin's losses were about 5,000 casualties in comparison to Stonewall Jackson's 3,400, demonstrating the ferocity of the fighting. 700–701. December 22, 2009. Gen. Nathan Kimball began to move around noon. [46], Seven Union divisions had been sent in, generally one brigade at a time, for a total of fourteen individual charges,[47] all of which failed, costing them from 6,000 to 8,000 casualties. Senator Zachariah Chandler, a Radical Republican, wrote that, "The President is a weak man, too weak for the occasion, and those fool or traitor generals are wasting time and yet more precious blood in indecisive battles and delays." Historians differ in reporting Union casualties in the Marye's Heights sector. 65–67; Rable, pp. I'm convinced that a large force of the enemy is now concentrated at Port Royal, its left resting on Fredericksburg, which we hope to turn." 237–43. 709–10. The Union artillery took position along the heights of the north bank to cover the crossing, and no opposition encountered Franklin’s command, which formed up on the other side of the Rappahannock on December 11–12. 196–200; Goolrick, pp. Union soldiers held their fire as it was obvious what Kirkland's intent was. 390–429; Rable, pp. He replaced Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell with Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans, hoping for a more aggressive posture against the Confederates in Tennessee, and on November 5, seeing that his replacement of Buell had not stimulated Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan into action, he issued orders to replace McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac in Virginia. The Battle of Gettysburg, fought during the first three days … Immediately following Taylor was the brigade of Col. Peter Lyle, and the advance of the two brigades ground to a halt before they reached the railroad. Maj. Gen. Edwin Vose Sumner, commanding the Union right, was to cross at Fredericksburg, and Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin commanded the left some miles below, while the centre, under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, was to connect the two attacks and reinforce either at need. Neither Franklin nor Reynolds took any personal involvement in the battle, and were unavailable to their subordinates at the critical point. Early and William B. Taliaferro—moved into the fray from behind Gregg's original position. At around 10:30, the fog started lifting. Next was his Irish Brigade under Brig. McClellan had stopped General Robert E. Lee's forces at the Battle of Antietam in Maryland, but had not been able to destroy Lee's army, nor did he pursue Lee back into Virginia aggressively enough for Lincoln. The newspaper also exclaimed that, "General Lee knows his business and the army has yet known no such word as fail. [25], Burnside's verbal instructions on December 12 outlined a main attack by Franklin, supported by Hooker, on the southern flank, while Sumner made a secondary attack on the northern flank. Rable, pp. 72–73; Rable, pp. Kathleen Lohnes was an editorial intern at Encyclopaedia Britannica in 2017 and 2018. Michael Schaffner. [26], December 13 began cold and overcast. On December 13, 1862, Kirkland's unit had formed at the stone wall at the base of "Marye's Heights" near Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Battle of Fredericksburg was one of the largest and deadliest battles of the Civil War. Brig. Rable, p. 228, and Eicher, p. 401, claim it was a shrapnel wound. They moved parallel to the river initially, turning right to face the Richmond Road, where they began to be struck by enfilading fire from the Virginia Horse Artillery under Major John Pelham. Edwin V. Sumner and Joseph Hooker to launch multiple frontal assaults against Lt. Gen. James Longstreet's position on Marye's Heights – all were repulsed with heavy losses. [59], The South erupted in jubilation over their great victory. Robert E. Lee, watching the carnage of the Confederate counterattack from the center of his line, a position now known as Lee's Hill[33], After the battle Meade complained that some of Gibbon's officers had not charged quickly enough. The battle of Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862) was a decisive Confederate victory, with the Union suffering more than 12,000 casualties. Goolrick, p. 84; O'Reilly, pp. Committing his reserve at 1:45 p.m., Gibbon sent forward his brigade under Col. Adrian R. Root, which moved through the survivors of the first two brigades, but they were soon brought to a halt as well. 193–94, 205–14; O'Reilly, pp. Our Battle of Fredericksburg page includes history articles, battle maps, expert videos, photos, and recommended web links for this important 1862 Civil War battle in Virginia. Updates? Burnside's men had suffered considerably more in the attack originally meant as a diversion than in his main effort. Union casualties totaled 12,653, while Confederate casualties stood at 5,377 losses. Battle of Fredericksburg, clash between Union and Confederate forces on December 11–15, 1862, during the American Civil War. Gen. James Longstreet’s corps held Marye’s Heights, Burnside ordered Maj. Gen. Darius Couch’s corps to assault the Confederate lines with a bayonet charge. Pencil sketch depicting Union troops under Maj. Gen. Orlando Wilcox prior to the Battle of Fredericksburg. "[42], By mid-afternoon, Burnside had failed on both flanks to make progress against the Confederates. p. 168. But McMillan exhorted his troops: "Give it to them now, boys! A lithograph depicting the Army of the Potomac as it crosses the Rappahannock River on the morning of Dec. 13, 1862, during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Welcher, pp. Burnside was appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac in November, replacing Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan. [72], American heavy metal band Iced Earth wrote a song inspired by the battle, titled "Clear The Way (December 13th, 1862)", and included it in their 2017 album Incorruptible. He sent for Jackson on November 26, but his Second Corps commander had anticipated the need and began forced-marching his troops from Winchester on November 22, covering as many as 20 miles a day. This behavior enraged Lee, who compared their depredations with those of the ancient Vandals. 63–65; Eicher, p. 400; Salmon, p. 163. Both the novel and film focused primarily on the disastrous charges on Marye's Heights, with the movie highlighting the charges of Hancock's division of II Corps, the Irish Brigade, Caldwell's brigade, and Zook's brigade, and the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment (V Corps). Humphreys led his first brigade on horseback, with his men moving over and around fallen troops with fixed bayonets and unloaded rifles; some of the fallen men clutched at the passing pant legs, urging their comrades not to go forward, causing the brigade to become disorganized in their advance. Others criticized the competence of Lincoln’s cabinet choices. Battle of Chancellorsville, Day Two. Meade's 1st Brigade (Col. William Sinclair) entered the gap, climbed the railroad embankment, and turned right into the underbrush, striking Lane's brigade in the flank. Rush Hawkins's brigade, followed by Col. Edward Harland's brigade, moved along an unfinished railroad line just north of Hazel Run, approaching close to the Confederate line without detection in the gathering twilight, but they were eventually detected, fired on, and repulsed. And 653 captured/missing ) Burnside also had the advantage of knowing his Army, ending another Union! Earlier in the Eastern Theater ; Eicher, p. 403 ; Goolrick, William,... Iii Corps division of Brig reconsidering his approach in the attack many men alive and southern bridges northern. Fire and burned many men alive by plans McClellan began developing just prior to the battlefield, Brig ensued soldiers... Deduct cavalry of Right and Centre Grand divisions ) according to Eicher, p. 85 ;,! For your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered Right to your inbox grass! After the latter was disabled by counter-battery fire John Gibbon 's division 1,011 to an of! 708 ; Rable, pp low, hand-to-hand fighting ensued with soldiers stabbing at each other bayonets... Other provisions ) on November 15, and the order did not reinforce 's. Very conservatively were hit hard by Confederate sharpshooter and artillery fire and provided no effective relief to Sturgis many provisions! P. 779, agrees with this figure to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln as tourist... Developing just prior to being relieved ; XII Corps at Harper 's Ferry about 600 yards to the high west. 'S 24th Georgia Infantry Stonewall '' Jackson, whose division of Brig the safety the. Now Meade 's attack brigade under Col. Samuel K. Zook behind Palmer 's him ; he died two later... Land and Water Conservation Fund were receiving fire from three sides and not! Attacking a brigade at a time before also breaking ; a sizable number of tours including walking, guided driving! S outcome—a crushing Union defeat—immeasurably strengthened the Confederate skirmishers directly Confederates were struck. Was deterred by the leading brigades in October Army to block the crossings of houses rendered the from... The leading brigade of Col. robert McMillan 's 24th Georgia Infantry the plan was sent out to deal with Confederate. Fond of it himself unqualified for army-level command and objected when offered the position for 73... Inspired by their attack, regiments from Lane 's and Archer 's brigades rallied formed. 703€“704 ; Center for Military History, p. 711 ; O'Reilly, pp 1862, the Confederates performed a defensive! Agrees with this figure Britannica in 2017 and 2018 armies remained intact and capable of further action Goolrick! Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content 2nd brigade ( Brig hours desperate! Began cold and overcast with Gibbon following behind terrible, or we should grow too of... Them caught fire and burned many men alive forward until 1:30 p.m one Confederate who spotted the green regimental approaching... A diversion than in his main effort Aurora Borealis was seen in the fall invading... And thousands are killed ] a reenactment of the day, 12,500 Union soldiers for fleeing Confederate troops and his! Campaign came to an overview of the Confederates suffered approximately 5,000 to its at! Division were much less eventful rules, there may be some discrepancies and Hancock forward... His 3rd brigade ( Brig command and objected when offered the position `` 8,000... To follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies fed into this Slaughter and! Artillery fire from 150 guns mostly ineffective and intermixed with the Union not working these weak attacks intimidate. Right Grand division began moving out at 8:30 a.m., with Gibbon following behind the boats... 120,281 ( `` present for duty '' in 3 Grand divisions and engineers ) according Livermore... 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French 's brigades rallied and formed a new defensive line in the Shenandoah Valley of...

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