Arizona republican., 1912-12-14
The Battle of Fredericksburg

Fifty years ago yesterday. almost within sight of the national capital fought the great battle of Fredericksburg The battle one of the severcst of the civil and the resultant victor! of the most notable achieved by the arms of the coufederacE.
 Fredericksburg lies on the south bank the Rappahannock River. 65 miles north ol Richmond. and the shortest railroad route to that city from Washington. Besides this fact, the EIcihltA oL Acquia Creek. the Potonac-furnishing an excel lent base of supplies-nade movement on Richmond by way of Fredericksburg more feasible than by any other
 After the battle of Antctam, General Mcclellan. still in command of the army of the P"t"nac "c- cuped Harpcr's Ferry. After delay of over month crossed the Potomac in pursuit of General Lee who rapidly retired the Rappahannocl The town of Wawenton, about 50 miles southwest OI the national capital was the place selected bl General Mcclellan for the concentration of his army
 On November General Mcclellan relieved oc his command. and Gencreal Ambrose r. Burnside reluctantly accepted 1t General McClelans Han oi campaign was changed. After reorSanizing the army into three grand divisions under Generals Hooks sumner ard Franklin, General Burnside began the famous movement against Fredericksburg. the purpose being to cross the Rappahannock at the city and to crush the two wings of the confederate army ln detail as they We're at that time ivI! t"" days march apart
 By November l9 General Burnsdes army occu- pied the heights opposite fredericksburg but delay of nearly week occasoned by the failure of the pontoon-train to arrive from Washington.
 The confederate army had, however, been just rapid movements and had already seized and fortified the heights behind Fredericksburg General Burnside. noting the changed aspect of
 
 to Washington and expressed doubt to the advisa bility of attempting the river General Lees force had not been separated. He urged however, to go on and returned to conduct the ad- 
 It not until December II. owing to the cessant rain, that General Burnside gave orders to cross the river at Fredericksburg and attack the confeGeTates. The pontoons laid with great difficulty and considerable loss nearly the entire day being consumed in the effort. thwarted by the fire of the confederates concealed in houses in fredericksburg
 General Franklin crossed below Fredaricl,sburg. without loss the morning the twelfth. The two armies ranged opposite each other south of the city, the confederate lines occupying the naturally strong position along the of the hills with an open plain in front. Their forces numbered 80,000 strong. General Longstreets corps occupied the height known Mary's hill. while Stonewal Jackson lay farther the right front of Franl<in's grand division
 The fedcrals formed with General Sumner the right, General Hooker in the centre and General Franklin the left. The battle was opened by Franklin about nine o'clock in the morning of the 18th, and continued in series of neffectua attempts to dislodge the confederates, until night.
 On the morning of the 14th General Burnside was only perverted from renewing the attack by the united disapprOval of his corps commanders. being obtained by the federas bury the dead. On the night of Dec 15 the fedcrals retired across the river. and the 16th the confederates again occupied Fredericksburg
 The federal losses in the ngagement were 11So killed, 9G28 wounded 2l45 missing, total of 12,353 The corfederates lost 593 killed. wounded and G53 missing the total being 5.207.
 As a result of the great disaster much dsssttis faction and insubordnation manifested among the federal troops which increased until General Burnside felt compelled to issue order, subject to the presidents approval dismissing several of ficers from the service and relieving others from duty. This. however. was not approved and shortly afterwards General Burnside gave up the command and General Hooker was appointed in his place