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Bull Run and Fredericksburg

The Second Bull Run

OverviewDATE: August 28th-30th 1862RESULT: Confederate VictoryCASUALTIES: 16,000 Union, 9200 ConfederateFORCES ENGAGED: 75,000 Union, 50,000 ConfederateCOMMANDERS: Union Major General Pope Confederates Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. Jackson, James Longstreet

Context and Build-upLees victories in Virginia earnt him creditLee took control of Confederate campaign in August 1862Lee ordered Jackson to outflank the unions General Popes army, which he did so on August 25th-27th, capturing Popes supply base at Manassas JunctionPope turned on Jacksons Army, targeting them at Warrenton Turnpike, the location of the First Bull Run The Battle28th Aug. First clashes at Brawner farm where a series of attacks by the Unions Iron Brigade drive back the defending Confederate Stonewall Brigade to the unfinished railroad29th Aug. Lee and Longstreet bring rest of North Virginia army to support Jackson. Brief clashes but Longstreets men remain inactive30th Aug. A federal advance at 3pm (which many officers objected to) driven back by Jacksons troops and artillery. Longstreet launches successful counter-strike at 4pm which forces Pope to withdraw2nd Sep. Pope and his defeated army reach Washington DC

AftermathPope removed from office 2nd Sep.Boosted Confederate confidence and moraleEven more humiliating than first defeat at ManassasCaused feuding in federal high commandPublic in North losing faith in military leadersBritain started thinking about interventionBritish PM Palmerston decided to wait for the next Confederate move before actingFredericksburg

OverviewDATE: December 11-15 1862RESULT: Confederate VictoryCASUALTIES: Around 18,000 ~ 1,300 diedFORCES ENGAGED: Around 172,000 ~ 100,000 Union, 72,000 ConfederateCOMMANDERS: Union Ambrose E. Burnside Confederates Robert E. LeeFEATURES: -The 1st major opposed river crossing in American military history- American Civil Wars 1st urban combat- More troops engaged than any other American Civil War battleREASON FOR BATTLE: Lincoln wanted a military victory to give more credence to and win political backing for the Emancipation Proclamation, so Burnside suggested, moving the Union army to Fredericksburg, to be able to attack the Confederate capital of Richmond.

The Battle

In November 1862, Burnsides army reaching the Rappahannock river, but needed pontoon bridges to cross. The bridges were delayed, and arrived on December 11th, allowing Lees troops to prepare for the fight. On December 11th, federal engineers began to build the bridges, but faced an attack from the Confederates on the other side of the river. Burnside sent a rowing boat of troops over to push back the Confederates, allowing the bridges to be built and the Union troops to cross.Lees troops fell back beyond Fredericksburg. Union soldiers looted Fredericksburg.On December 13th, Burnside divided his troops in order to create a diversion, however the diversion failed as his general, General Franklin, failed to supply enough troops into the diversion.Many Union troops were gunned down on Prospect Hill, delaying their advance.Union troops pushed into swampy terrain - intense fighting ensued, which earned the area its name of the Slaughter Pens.Slaughter on Maryes Heights Union troops cut down by Confederate artillery upon advancements throughout the day.On December 15th, having lost too many troops and been convinced by his commanders not to continue, Burnside retreated to winter camp in Stafford County.

Aftermath

Federals retreated back over the river lost the ground they had just gainedConfederate morale soared won whilst outnumbered Burnsides defeat sowed the seats of insubordination leading to his ineffective second offensive against Lee in January 1863Burnside then resigned, replaced by Joe HookerUnion morale low

It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it