The Confederate slaughter of the Union at Fredericksburg was so great, that, at the subsequent Battle of Gettysburg, the Unionists shouted “Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg!” as they avenged their dead comrades. The Battle of Fredericksburg unfolded in a natural auditorium with the Rappahannock River on the east, and Prospect Hill and Marye’s Heights on the west. This topography prescribed the logistics of the Confederate army and contributed towards its success - and occasional hindrance - to a significant extent. Marye’s Heights, Prospect Hill and the Rappahannock River all offered strategic advantages and impediments.
Marye’s Heights was the key to the Confederates’ position. Confederate General James Longstreet mounted guns and most of …show more content…
Confederate General Stonewall Jackson stationed 35,000 troops for over a mile along Prospect Hill - this was the Confederate right flank. The large number of troops allocated to Prospect Hill allude to its importance as a strategic landmark for the Confederates. Not only was this hill dominated and used by the Confederates, but the Unionists were prevented from exploiting it to their own advantage. The latter were on level ground, easily targeted and devoid of such strategic vantagepoints. Several kilometres from Prospect Hill was Hamilton Crossing - the Confederate supply base - and the Potomac Railroad, complete with an embankment. The cover of the railroad embankment acted as ready earthwork, making the line virtually impenetrable by shielding the Confederates while securing their position. Hamilton Crossing, strategically close to Prospect Hill, provided the right anchor of Jackson's Confederate line, supplying the Confederates with provisions. Historian Gary Gallagher, who studied the advantages of topography for the Confederates, explained how fourteen guns were placed at Prospect Hill, which anchored the Confederate right flank. Hence, Gallagher suggested that the hill gave them a tactical advantage over the Union weaponry, which rendered the Union’s superior numbers and speed insufficient. However, historian Daniel Sutherland argued that the ground rose only 65 feet above the surrounding plain; he believed that the weak, sunken terrain of Prospect Hill made transportation of Confederate troops and supplies troublesome. Wagon wheels would have been jolted and often stuck in mud, slowing the Confederate advance. On December 13th, 1862, Union General George Meade’s division noticed a gap in the Confederate line at Prospect Hill - a boggy, wooded area 200 yards wide - and pushed through. The gap occurred because of the weak terrain of the hill, making it difficult for the Confederates to defend this portion
Marye’s Heights was the key to the Confederates’ position. Confederate General James Longstreet mounted guns and most of …show more content…
Confederate General Stonewall Jackson stationed 35,000 troops for over a mile along Prospect Hill - this was the Confederate right flank. The large number of troops allocated to Prospect Hill allude to its importance as a strategic landmark for the Confederates. Not only was this hill dominated and used by the Confederates, but the Unionists were prevented from exploiting it to their own advantage. The latter were on level ground, easily targeted and devoid of such strategic vantagepoints. Several kilometres from Prospect Hill was Hamilton Crossing - the Confederate supply base - and the Potomac Railroad, complete with an embankment. The cover of the railroad embankment acted as ready earthwork, making the line virtually impenetrable by shielding the Confederates while securing their position. Hamilton Crossing, strategically close to Prospect Hill, provided the right anchor of Jackson's Confederate line, supplying the Confederates with provisions. Historian Gary Gallagher, who studied the advantages of topography for the Confederates, explained how fourteen guns were placed at Prospect Hill, which anchored the Confederate right flank. Hence, Gallagher suggested that the hill gave them a tactical advantage over the Union weaponry, which rendered the Union’s superior numbers and speed insufficient. However, historian Daniel Sutherland argued that the ground rose only 65 feet above the surrounding plain; he believed that the weak, sunken terrain of Prospect Hill made transportation of Confederate troops and supplies troublesome. Wagon wheels would have been jolted and often stuck in mud, slowing the Confederate advance. On December 13th, 1862, Union General George Meade’s division noticed a gap in the Confederate line at Prospect Hill - a boggy, wooded area 200 yards wide - and pushed through. The gap occurred because of the weak terrain of the hill, making it difficult for the Confederates to defend this portion