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Sponsored by
Battle
of Fredericksburg Commemoration Committee
On November 7, 1862, as an early snowfall covered on the Union camps near
Warrenton, VA, Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside received news that he would
replace George B. McClellan as commander of the Army of the Potomac. A
week later, the Federals began their march toward Fredericksburg, establishing
camps on Stafford Heights and along the Rappahannock at Falmouth VA.
On November 18-19th, Longstreet departed Culpeper
for Fredericksburg, and established camp on the heights west of town; Jackson
arrived on December 1-3, and deployed downriver from Fredericksburg.
Burnside formulated attack plans in early December,
including use of pontoon boats to cross the River and occupy the town.
At dawn on December 11, Union engineers began constructing
the pontoon bridges. Facing resistance from Barksdale's Mississippians,
they sent over several units to clear the town of the remaining Confederates.
The city was also bombarded by artillery, which ignited several fires and
destroyed much of the town.
On December 12 the Union Army crossed the bridges
and formed up in town. Union soldiers looted that evening the town.
At 8:30 a.m., December 13th, the attack began. When
the battle ended, 1,284 Federals had been killed; 9,600 wounded, and 1,769
captured/missing. Confederates lost 608 killed; 4,116 wounded; 653 captured
or missing.
Defeated and demoralized, the Army of the Potomac
withdrew to Falmouth to spend the winter in the Union's "Valley Forge".
The 144th Anniversary Battle of Fredericksburg Living History This
year's event will be different from those of the past. All activities will
take place in the city between Charles Street and Washington Avenue. There
will be no major battles, but instead a series of small scripted skirmishes and
living history presentations. Activities will include:
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Living History Camps
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Period Telegraph
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Field Hospitals
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Street Skirmishes
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Period Music
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