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Crossing the Rappahannock 2
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. They crossed successfully and spread out in a skirmish line to clear the sharpshooters. Although some of the Confederates surrendered, fighting proceeded street by street through the town as the engineers completed the bridges. -
Crossing the Rappahannock 3
Sumner's Right Grand Division began crossing at 4:30 p.m., but the bulk of his men did not cross until December 12. *Hooker's Center Grand Division crossed on December 13, using both the northern and southern bridges. -
Crossing the Rappahannock4
River crossings south of the city by Franklin's Left Grand Division were much less eventful. Both bridges were completed by 11 a.m. on December 11 while five batteries of Union artillery suppressed most sniper fire against the engineers.Franklin was ordered at 4 p.m. to cross his entire command, but only a single brigade was sent out before dark. -
Crossing the Rappahannock
Union engineers began to assemble six pontoon bridges before dawn on December 11.The engineers constructing the bridge directly across from city came under punishing fire from Confederate sharpshooters in command of the town defenses.Union artillery attempted to dislodge the sharpshooters, but their positions in the cellars of houses rendered the fire from 150 guns mostly ineffective. -
Crossing the Rappahannock 5
Crossings resumed at dawn and were completed by 1 p.m. on December 12. -
South of the City
The only Union success at the Battle of Fredericksburg comes when Union general George G. Meade achieves a breakthrough against Confederate general A. P. Hill's division. -
South of the City 2
Confederate general Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia crush Union general Ambrose E. Burnside and the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Fredericksburg in one of the most lopsided defeats of the war. -
South of the City 3
11:00 a.m. Union general Edwin V. Sumner is ordered to advance on Confederate general James Longstreet's entrenched position during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Heavy artillery fire from Longstreet's men prevents Union troops from advancing, and thousands are killed. -
Lull and Withdrawl
The armies remained in position throughout the day on December 14. That afternoon, Burnside asked Lee for a truce to attend to his wounded, which the latter graciously granted. The next day the Federal forces retreated across the river, and the campaign came to an end. -
Lull and Withdrawal 2
Obtaining permission from his commander, Brig. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw, Kirkland gathered canteens and in broad daylight, without the benefit of a cease fire or a flag of truce, provided water to numerous Union wounded lying on the field of battle. Union soldiers held their fire. Kirkland was nicknamed the "Angel of Marye's Heights" for these actions, and is memorialized with a statue by Felix de Weldon on the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park where he carried out his actions
