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Second Battle of Fredericksburg

Second Battle of Fredericksburg
(Second Battle of Marye's Heights)
Part of the American Civil War

Pontoon bridges erected for Sedgwick's corps to cross upon,
Alfred R. Waud, artist
DateMay 3, 1863 (1863-05-03)
Location
Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union) CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
John Sedgwick Jubal Early
Units involved
Army of the Potomac Army of Northern Virginia
Strength
27,100[1] 12,000[2]
Casualties and losses
1,100[3] 700[4]
2,000

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.

Background edit

Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee left Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early to hold Fredericksburg on May 1, while he marched west with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia to deal with Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's main thrust at Chancellorsville with four corps of the Army of the Potomac. Early had his own division, along with William Barksdale's brigade from McLaws' division and cannons from the artillery reserve; Early was assisted by Brigadier General William Pendleton of the artillery reserve. Cadmus Wilcox's brigade arrived on May 3, increasing Early's strength to 12,000 men and 45 cannons. Most of the Confederate force was deployed south of Fredericksburg.

Early was ordered by Lee to watch the remaining Union force near Fredericksburg; if he was attacked and defeated, he was to retreat southward to protect the Confederate supply lines. If the Union force moved to reinforce Hooker, then Early was to leave a covering force and rejoin Lee with the remainder of his troops.[5] On May 2, misunderstanding his orders, Early left one brigade at Fredericksburg and started the rest of his force towards Chancellorsville; Lee corrected the misunderstanding and Early then returned to his positions that night before Sedgwick discovered the Confederate retreat.[6]

 
Union Troops before Fredericksburg May 1863

Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick was left near Fredericksburg with the VI Corps, the I Corps, and the II Corps division of Brig. Gen. John Gibbon. Hooker's plan called for Sedgwick to demonstrate near the city in order to deceive Lee about the Union plan. The VI and II Corps seized control of several crossings on April 29, laying down pontoon bridges in the early morning hours, and the divisions of William T. H. Brooks and James S. Wadsworth crossed the river. The I Corps was ordered to reinforce the main army at Chancellorsville during the night of May 1. During the evening of May 2, Sedgwick received orders to attack Early with his remaining forces.[7]

Opposing forces edit

Union edit

Confederate edit

Battle edit

 
Confederate dead behind the stone wall of Marye's Heights, Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 3, 1863
 
General Haupt and W. Wright, Superintendent of the Mlilitary Railroad survey a Confederate Artillery Battery cassion on Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg Va that was wrecked by Union artillery fire May 5, 1863. This was of the Washington Artillery[8] of eight artillery pieces,six guns were surrounded under command of Capt Squires and Lt Owen[9]

Sedgwick moved his forces into Fredericksburg during dawn on May 3, uniting with Gibbon's division which had crossed the river just before dawn. Sedgwick originally planned to attack the ends of Marye's Heights but a canal and a stream blocked the Union forces. He then decided to launch an attack on the Confederate center on the heights, which was manned by Barksdale's brigade, with John Newton's division; this attack was defeated. Soldiers of the 7th Massachusetts caught a glimpse of the Confederate right flank and thought it looked unprotected. One of their officer requested a brief truce to gather in their wounded. Without consulting his brigade commander, Colonel Thomas M. Griffin of the 18th Mississippi Infantry granted it, allowing the Union soldiers to examine it more closely.[10]

Sedgwick launched another attack against this flank and Barksdale's front using elements from all three VI Corps divisions, which pushed the Confederate forces off the ridge, capturing some artillery and the 18th and 21 Mississippi Regiments. The first men to mount the stone wall were from the 5th Wisconsin and the 6th Maine Infantry regiments. Barksdale retreated to Lee's Hill, where he attempted to make another stand but was again forced to retreat southward.[11]

Aftermath edit

 
Map of Fredericksburg II Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program

Confederate casualties totaled 700 men and four cannons. Early withdrew with his division two miles to the south, while Wilcox withdrew westward, slowing Sedgwick's advance. When he learned of the Confederate defeat, Lee started moving two divisions east to stop Sedgwick.[12] Following the campaign, Early became embroiled in an argument with Barksdale over what Barksdale considered a slight to his brigade in a newspaper letter that Early had written; the exchange continued until Lee ordered the two generals to cease.[13]

Sedgwick had lost 1,100 men during the engagement. At first he started to pursue Early's division but then followed the orders he received the previous day and started west along the Plank Road towards Hooker's army at Chancellorsville. Gibbon's division was left in Fredericksburg to guard the city.[14]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Sears, p. 309.
  2. ^ Furgurson, p. 261.
  3. ^ Sears, p. 357.
  4. ^ Davis, p. 37.
  5. ^ Gallagher, p. 40–41; Furgurson, pp. 257–61.
  6. ^ Davis, p. 32.
  7. ^ Sears, pp. 140–41, 169, 283–84, 309; Furgurson, pp. 97–100, 147.
  8. ^ Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Vol III .p.228
  9. ^ Napier History p.178
  10. ^ Furgurson, pp. 256–58, 261–63.
  11. ^ Furgurson, pp. 263–67; Davis, pp. 36–37.
  12. ^ Davis, p. 37; Sears, pp. 373–75; Furgurson, pp. 268–69.
  13. ^ Gallagher, pp. 54–58.
  14. ^ Sears, pp. 375–76; Furgurson, p. 267.

References edit

  • Davis, Danny. "Return to Fredericksburg." America's Civil War 5, no. 4 (September 1992): 30–37.
  • Catton, Bruce. Glory Road. Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, 1952. ISBN 0-385-04167-5.
  • Winslow, Richard Elliot III. General John Sedgwick, The Story of a Union Corps Commander. Novato CA: Presidio Press, 1982. ISBN 0-89141-030-9.
  • Furgurson, Ernest B. Chancellorsville 1863: The Souls of the Brave. New York: Knopf, 1992. ISBN 0-394-58301-9
  • Gallagher, Gary W. "East of Chancellorsville: Jubal A. Early at Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church" in Chancellorsville: The Battle and Its Aftermath, edited by Gary W. Gallagher. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1996. ISBN 0-8078-2275-2.
  • Sears, Stephen W. Chancellorsville. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996. ISBN 0-395-87744-X.

Further reading edit

  • Parsons, Philip W. "The union Sixth Army Corps in the Chancellorsville Campaign: A Study of the Engagements of Second Fredericksburg, Salem Church, and Banks's Ford, May 3–4, 1863" McFarland and Company, Inc. Jefferson, North Carolina and London. 2006. ISBN 0-7864-2521-0.
  • Mackowski, Chris, and Kristopher D. White. Chancellorsville's Forgotten Front: The Battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church, May 3, 1863. El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Beatie, 2013. ISBN 978-1-61121-136-8.

External links edit

  • NPS battle description
  • National Park Service Battle Summary
  • CWSAC Report Update
  • NPS Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania County Battlefield site
  • Second Battle of Fredericksburg in Encyclopedia Virginia

38°17′45″N 77°28′06″W / 38.29575°N 77.46844°W / 38.29575; -77.46844

second, battle, fredericksburg, second, battle, marye, heights, part, american, civil, warpontoon, bridges, erected, sedgwick, corps, cross, upon, alfred, waud, artistdatemay, 1863, 1863, locationfredericksburg, virginiaresultunion, victorybelligerentsunited, . Second Battle of Fredericksburg Second Battle of Marye s Heights Part of the American Civil WarPontoon bridges erected for Sedgwick s corps to cross upon Alfred R Waud artistDateMay 3 1863 1863 05 03 LocationFredericksburg VirginiaResultUnion victoryBelligerentsUnited States Union CSA Confederacy Commanders and leadersJohn SedgwickJubal EarlyUnits involvedArmy of the PotomacArmy of Northern VirginiaStrength27 100 1 12 000 2 Casualties and losses1 100 3 700 4 2 000 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 Contents 1 Background 2 Opposing forces 2 1 Union 2 2 Confederate 3 Battle 4 Aftermath 5 Notes 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksBackground editConfederate Gen Robert E Lee left Maj Gen Jubal A Early to hold Fredericksburg on May 1 while he marched west with the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia to deal with Union Maj Gen Joseph Hooker s main thrust at Chancellorsville with four corps of the Army of the Potomac Early had his own division along with William Barksdale s brigade from McLaws division and cannons from the artillery reserve Early was assisted by Brigadier General William Pendleton of the artillery reserve Cadmus Wilcox s brigade arrived on May 3 increasing Early s strength to 12 000 men and 45 cannons Most of the Confederate force was deployed south of Fredericksburg Early was ordered by Lee to watch the remaining Union force near Fredericksburg if he was attacked and defeated he was to retreat southward to protect the Confederate supply lines If the Union force moved to reinforce Hooker then Early was to leave a covering force and rejoin Lee with the remainder of his troops 5 On May 2 misunderstanding his orders Early left one brigade at Fredericksburg and started the rest of his force towards Chancellorsville Lee corrected the misunderstanding and Early then returned to his positions that night before Sedgwick discovered the Confederate retreat 6 nbsp Union Troops before Fredericksburg May 1863Maj Gen John Sedgwick was left near Fredericksburg with the VI Corps the I Corps and the II Corps division of Brig Gen John Gibbon Hooker s plan called for Sedgwick to demonstrate near the city in order to deceive Lee about the Union plan The VI and II Corps seized control of several crossings on April 29 laying down pontoon bridges in the early morning hours and the divisions of William T H Brooks and James S Wadsworth crossed the river The I Corps was ordered to reinforce the main army at Chancellorsville during the night of May 1 During the evening of May 2 Sedgwick received orders to attack Early with his remaining forces 7 Opposing forces editUnion edit Further information Chancellorsville Union order of battle Confederate edit Further information Chancellorsville Confederate order of battleBattle edit nbsp Confederate dead behind the stone wall of Marye s Heights Fredericksburg Virginia May 3 1863 nbsp General Haupt and W Wright Superintendent of the Mlilitary Railroad survey a Confederate Artillery Battery cassion on Maryes Heights Fredericksburg Va that was wrecked by Union artillery fire May 5 1863 This was of the Washington Artillery 8 of eight artillery pieces six guns were surrounded under command of Capt Squires and Lt Owen 9 Sedgwick moved his forces into Fredericksburg during dawn on May 3 uniting with Gibbon s division which had crossed the river just before dawn Sedgwick originally planned to attack the ends of Marye s Heights but a canal and a stream blocked the Union forces He then decided to launch an attack on the Confederate center on the heights which was manned by Barksdale s brigade with John Newton s division this attack was defeated Soldiers of the 7th Massachusetts caught a glimpse of the Confederate right flank and thought it looked unprotected One of their officer requested a brief truce to gather in their wounded Without consulting his brigade commander Colonel Thomas M Griffin of the 18th Mississippi Infantry granted it allowing the Union soldiers to examine it more closely 10 Sedgwick launched another attack against this flank and Barksdale s front using elements from all three VI Corps divisions which pushed the Confederate forces off the ridge capturing some artillery and the 18th and 21 Mississippi Regiments The first men to mount the stone wall were from the 5th Wisconsin and the 6th Maine Infantry regiments Barksdale retreated to Lee s Hill where he attempted to make another stand but was again forced to retreat southward 11 Aftermath edit nbsp Map of Fredericksburg II Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection ProgramConfederate casualties totaled 700 men and four cannons Early withdrew with his division two miles to the south while Wilcox withdrew westward slowing Sedgwick s advance When he learned of the Confederate defeat Lee started moving two divisions east to stop Sedgwick 12 Following the campaign Early became embroiled in an argument with Barksdale over what Barksdale considered a slight to his brigade in a newspaper letter that Early had written the exchange continued until Lee ordered the two generals to cease 13 Sedgwick had lost 1 100 men during the engagement At first he started to pursue Early s division but then followed the orders he received the previous day and started west along the Plank Road towards Hooker s army at Chancellorsville Gibbon s division was left in Fredericksburg to guard the city 14 Notes edit Sears p 309 Furgurson p 261 Sears p 357 Davis p 37 Gallagher p 40 41 Furgurson pp 257 61 Davis p 32 Sears pp 140 41 169 283 84 309 Furgurson pp 97 100 147 Battles and Leaders of the Civil War Vol III p 228 Napier History p 178 Furgurson pp 256 58 261 63 Furgurson pp 263 67 Davis pp 36 37 Davis p 37 Sears pp 373 75 Furgurson pp 268 69 Gallagher pp 54 58 Sears pp 375 76 Furgurson p 267 References editDavis Danny Return to Fredericksburg America s Civil War 5 no 4 September 1992 30 37 Catton Bruce Glory Road Garden City New York Doubleday and Company 1952 ISBN 0 385 04167 5 Winslow Richard Elliot III General John Sedgwick The Story of a Union Corps Commander Novato CA Presidio Press 1982 ISBN 0 89141 030 9 Furgurson Ernest B Chancellorsville 1863 The Souls of the Brave New York Knopf 1992 ISBN 0 394 58301 9 Gallagher Gary W East of Chancellorsville Jubal A Early at Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church in Chancellorsville The Battle and Its Aftermath edited by Gary W Gallagher Chapel Hill University of North Carolina Press 1996 ISBN 0 8078 2275 2 Sears Stephen W Chancellorsville Boston Houghton Mifflin 1996 ISBN 0 395 87744 X Further reading editParsons Philip W The union Sixth Army Corps in the Chancellorsville Campaign A Study of the Engagements of Second Fredericksburg Salem Church and Banks s Ford May 3 4 1863 McFarland and Company Inc Jefferson North Carolina and London 2006 ISBN 0 7864 2521 0 Mackowski Chris and Kristopher D White Chancellorsville s Forgotten Front The Battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church May 3 1863 El Dorado Hills CA Savas Beatie 2013 ISBN 978 1 61121 136 8 External links editNPS battle description National Park Service Battle Summary CWSAC Report Update NPS Fredericksburg amp Spotsylvania County Battlefield site Second Battle of Fredericksburg in Encyclopedia Virginia38 17 45 N 77 28 06 W 38 29575 N 77 46844 W 38 29575 77 46844 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Second Battle of Fredericksburg amp oldid 1187714203, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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