The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-12-13
GREAT BATTLE
so YEARS AGO
-
Engagement At Fredericksburg
One of the Severest OF
the Civil War
NOTABLE VICTORY FOR SOUTH
Two Armies Struggled Within
Sight of Washington

| Washington, ID. G.. Dec. 13.-F1tty
years ago today almost within sight
Of the national capital was fought the
great battle of Fredericksburg. The
battle was one of the severest of the
lciYil war and the resultant victory
one Of the most notable achieved by
the arms of the Confederacy.
Fredericksburg lies on the south
bank of the Rappahannock River. G5
miles north of Richmond, and on the
shortest railroad route To that city
from Washington. Besides ,his fact,
the vicinity of Acquia Creek, on the
Potomac-furnishing an excellent base
Of supphes-made movement on
Richmond by way of Fredericksburg
more feasible than by any other route.
After the battle OF Antietam, Gen
eral Mcclellan, still in command of the
army of the Potomac, occupied Har-
per's Ferry After a delay of over a
month. he crossed the Potomac in
pursuit of General Lee. who rapidly
retired to the Rappahannock. The
town of Warrenton, about 50 miles
the place selected by General McClel-
Ian FOR the concentration of his army.
Preparations Elaborate.
ON November General Mcclellan
was relieved of his command. and
| General Ambrose Il. Burnside re-
mctantly accepted it. General Me
Clellan's plan of compaign was chang
,;,,g,,
three grand divisions under General
Summer and Franklin, General Burn
side began the famous movement
against Fredericksburg, the purpose
being 10 cross the Rappahannock al
the city and To crush the two wings
of the Confederate army in detail, as
they were at that time fully two
days march apart.
: BY November 10 General Burnsides
army occupied the heights opposite
FREDERICKSBURG, but delay of nearly
a week was occasioned by the failure
of the pontoon- train TO arrive from
Washington.
The Confederate army had, however,
been just as rapid in its movements
and had already seized and fortified
the heights behind Fredericksburg.
; General Burnside, noting the changed
aspect of affairs since the enemy was
I now combined. hurried To Washington
e and expressed doubt as TO the ad-
e visibility of attempting to cross the
river since General Lees force had
not been separated. He was urged,
!. however. to go on, and returned To
!. conduct the advance.
!. Fight Lasts Several Days.
:. II was not until Dec. IL, owing To
J. the inceSsant rain that General Burn b
side gave orders To cross the river
p at Frcdericksburs. and attack the CON
federates. The pontoons We're laia
y with great difficulty and considerable
loss. nearly the entire day being con
sumed in the effort, thwartcd 10y the
. fre of the Confederates concealed in
>, houses in FREDERICKSBURG.
= General Franklin crossed below
fredericksburg, without loss. on the
. morning of the 18th. The two armies
= We're now ranged opposite each other
" south Of the city. the Confederate lines
- ton along the crest Of the hills. with
an open plain in front. Their forces
numbered $4,000 strong General
Longstreetss corps occupied the
height known as Mary's hill Will,
"StOrcWall" Jackson lay farther &c
the right IN front of franklin's grand
diYision.
The Federals were formed with GEN
:. oral Sumner on the right. Genera
:. Hooker in the center, and General
Fr,utlin On the left The battle was
b, opened by Franklin about 9 o'clock on
liz morning of the 18th, and continued
10 in series OF Intellectual attempts Il
80 dis!odgc the Confederates until night
Both Suffer Heavy Losses.
~ on the morning of the nth Genera
> Burnside was only prevented from re-
newing the attack by the united dis
approval of his corps commanders. on
+ the lith and 18th the armies werr
ir quiet truce being obtained Icy tn,
"a, l'cderals TO bury the dead. ON tn,
night Of bee. 10 the Federals retired
or across t!re river, and on the 10th the
Ks Concentrates HbdlI t''.illll'u Itufl
r. icyshurg.
-. The Federal losses in the engage
ID ment Were 1850 killed 9O2S wounded
no -li5 missing, a total OF 1858. The
ct Confederatcs lost 593 killed. 1861
10 wounded and 653 missing. the tota
as being 5.297.
or As a result of the great disaster
much dissatisfaction and insubordina-
ton Were manifested among the Fed.
n eral troops which increased unit
or General Burnside felt compelled To- Is
D. sue AN order subject To the President.
approval cismissing several officer,
from the service and relieving other.
from duty. This however was no
70 approved and shortly afterwards Gen.
A. eral Burnside gave mp the command
X and General Hooker was appointed IL
his place