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What actually happened?:
Lee had a keen understanding of the ancient principle of sacred geography. For Lee, this battle presented him with an opportunity to borrow a concept from the Muslims. Mecca is the most precious and revered real estate for Muslims because Mohammed was born there. Five times a day, Muslims face Mecca in homage. Muslims would defend Mecca to the death.
Fredericksburg was the Mecca of Virginia. George Washington was born near Fredericksburg, VA, and in Fredericksburg he grew up. Lee, too, spent his youth in Fredericksburg, meeting George Washington's adopted granddaughter there, whom he also married. Lee saw this dynamic as a factor that the Union army did not understand, but incredibly important to Confederates. Watch Lee explain.
What part of Fredericksburg did Lee choose?: Knowing the power of geography and topography, Lee placed his army on the high ground on the west side of the Rappahannock River. Marye's Heights. This would require Burnside's army to cross a river and ascend a hill in order to attack.
What defensive advantage did Lee select?: On top of Marye's Heights, Lee had a firm stone wall behind which his troops were secure
What defensive advantage did Lee utilize in weaponry?: Whereas the attackers coming up the hill had to stop and reload their muskets after each shot, with about a minute between every shot, Lee's men behind he wall were organized in teams of three: 1) the best marksman did the shooting; 2 & 3) were reloaders; the empty gun would be handed in rotation one or another reloader who would provide the marksman with a reloaded gun so that the Confederates were getting off three or four shots to every one of the Union.
What did Burnside choose to do?: Burnside decided to reject Hancock's recommendation to move quickly. He said he would wait until he had his full force. This decision was not a good one as it allowed Lee to accomplish all the preparations mentioned above. Watch below
burnside.mp4CONCLUSION: The Battle of Fredericksburg was the worst disaster for the Union Army during the whole civil war. It was a field day for Lee and his men. Watching the Union get slaughtered, Lee told Longstreet, "It is well that war is so terrible — we should grow too fond of it!"
After the the battle, Lincoln said to Senator Browning, "We are now on the brink of destruction. It appears to me the Almighty is against us, and I can hardly see a ray of hope." As he listened to the news of Fredericksburg, Lincoln remarked, "I wonder if the damned in hell suffer worse than I do." General James Wadsworth visited the White House and on December 18, 1862, wrote that Lincoln said, "If there is a worse place than hell, I am in it."
When the narrative was reversed at Gettysburg eight months later, as the proud Union troops repelled Pickett's Charge, they chanted in revenge, "Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg!!"
What decisions did you make? Do you think they were better or worse than Lee's and Burnside's?
Click here to return for the final decision
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