The battle of Fredericksburg was a defensive masterpiece by Robert E. Lee as the Army of Northern Virginia with 72,500 troops soundly defeated the Union’s Army of the Potomac, with 116,000 soldiers.

the War
Between
the States

Fredericksburg, Virginia
13 December 1862

The headquarters of Maj. Gen. Robert E. Lee was located on this hill and with good sight lines to Fredericksburg and beyond allowed General Lee to strengthen his defenses as the Federal troops prepared, with some confusion, for the crossing of the Rappahannock River.

A beautiful story in terrible war: the divine love that Richard Rowland Kirkland displayed as he went over the wall on Marye’s Heights and while under fire administered to the wounded Federal soldiers.