Fredericksburg

[Noonanda]

Today mark the anniversary of the Union forces crossing the Rappahanock river and investing in the city of Fredericksburg. The main battle was fought on the 13th, but today Barkdales "Mississipi Brigade" fought to keep the engineers from completing the pontoons.

There was a reenactment of the fighting at the slaughter pens portion of the battlefield Saturday and Sunday, as the NPS designated this weekend as the "Rememberance Weekend". Therewere supposed to be some tours as well but due to inclement weather they cancelled all of Saturdays NPS events. The Reenactors though were not stopped by the cold and the snow.

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[Andrew]

I attended the Sunday morning walk led by Frank O'Reilly that followed the Irish Brigade's march from the river to Marye's Heights. Reenactors led the march. It was one of the best I've experienced.

 

[Jimbo_Poke]

Part of me wonders whether it would have been better for the AotP had the attempts to bridge the river been succesfully thrown back.

 

[Noonanda]

Part of me wonders whether it would have been better for the AotP had the attempts to bridge the river been succesfully thrown back.

was discussing the subject of Fredericksburg on a Facebook group. If Burnside had crossed a grand division of troops at Banks ford, one at fredericksburg, and one south closer to Hamilton's crossing it is my opinion that it would have forced Lee onto the horns of a dilemma. moving troops to either flank weakens the opposite flank even though he has interior lines. another issue was that early war generals were afraid to use their "reserve force" and instead kept sometimes multiple Corps of troops out of the battle.