Wayward Wandering The fun of travel, history, life and being a backpacker

Battle of Fredericksburg and Battle of Chancellorsville

During the American Civil War the fields around Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania became sites for some of the bloodiest battles. Some 100,000 men were wounded or killed in battles in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Chancellorsville and Wilderness. The 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg had seen the Union Army of the Potomac, led by General Ambrose E Burnside, first look for a way to cross the Rappahannock River which would put them in a pitched battle against General Robert E Lee’s Confederate Armies. The goal was to take control of the area and install supply lines on an assault for Richmond, Virginia’s state capital.

Knowing that protecting the Telegraph Road that led to Richmond was essential the Confederate Army was positioned to protect the area. Fredericksburg was initially bombarded by cannon fire and was eventually taken. The road south proved tougher as Confederates protected the area, ultimately being overpowered after numerous battles and Union reinforcements.

When Major General Joseph Hooker took control of the Army of the Potomac he proudly proclaimed them “the finest army on the planet.” In 1863 the Battle of Chancellorsville saw the Unionists push forward in an attempt to make General Lee abandon the Fredericksburg area. The plan was to send in a flying force and sever Confederate communication lines from Richmond before forces would attack the Confederate army. “My plans are perfect,” boasted Hooker “and when I start to carry them out may God have mercy on General Lee, for I will have none.”

The Union Army pushed forward to the large Chancellorsville Tavern at the intersection of Orange Turnpike with the Orange Plank, Ely’s Ford, and River roads. They had met no resistance along the way as the heavily outnumbered Confederates had seen sense and pulled back. Hooker made the mistake of waiting here for reinforcements and General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson seized on the opportunity.

A ridge over the Turnpike and Plank Road had been fortified by the Confederates. When Hooker moved on he met the Confederate head on. Despite greater number the Union army had not expected such resistance and they had to fall back to Wilderness. Hooker claimed “I have got Lee just where I want him; he must fight me on my own ground” but the retreat and expectations after a successful march left the Union army disheartened.

“Stonewall” Jackson made one of the most momentous decisions of the Civil War and attacked on numerous fronts. Having splintered his own army and with help from General Lee created a diversionary force. Jackson’s main force would snake around Catherine Furnace and Brook Road before moving into Wilderness and, holding off an attack, spread his troops into a 2 mile line on the Turnpike.

When the call came to attack and the Rebel Yell sounded the Union Army was caught cold. One soldier recalled, “Along the road it was pandemonium, and on the side of the road it was chaos.” Union soldiers were being slaughtered before darkness fell and the Confederates retreated back.

“Stonewall” Jackson had ridden ahead to check on proceedings and while riding back to his base was spotted by Confederate soldiers and mistaken for Union soldiers. Three shots hit Jackson. The wounds were ultimately fatal. “Stonewall” Jackson died at Guinea Station shortly afterwards. Jackson died because of friendly fire, a trend that would continue with US armed forces into the present day.

Hooker had his armies retreat and retrench themselves on this Confederate onslaught. The battle pitched between the two armies and slowly the Confederates began to take control and over power the Unionists. General Lee felt victorious until a messenger told him that the Union had broken the Confederate army at Marye’s Heights and threatened the Confederate rear.

The 2nd Battle of Fredericksburg occurred at Salem’s Church. The Union army was forced back across the Rappahannock. Hooker retreated back to Stafford County.

Despite the leadership of the Confederate armies by Lee and Jackson the Union army had not suffered as badly as first expected. Hooker and Lee had lost some 20,000 men between them but the Union army still outnumbered the Confederates. This battle, however, had seen the greater 130,000 Federal Army being pushed back by the 60,000 Confederate soldiers.

General Lee now wanted to push on into Pennsylvania and a date with destiny at Gettysburg.

More information, maps and details of the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness and Spotsylvania from the National Parks Website.