BULL RUN AND

FREDERICKSBURG

The Second Bull Run

Overview
DATE: August 28th-30th 1862
RESULT: Confederate Victory
CASUALTIES: 16,000 Union, 9200
Confederate
FORCES ENGAGED: 75,000 Union, 50,000
Confederate
COMMANDERS: Union Major General Pope

Confederates Robert E.
Lee,
Thomas J. Jackson,
James Longstreet

Context and Build-up

Lees victories in Virginia earnt him credit

Lee took control of Confederate campaign
in August 1862
Lee ordered Jackson to outflank the
unions General Popes army, which he
did so on August 25th-27th, capturing
Popes supply base at Manassas Junction
Pope turned on Jacksons Army, targeting
them at Warrenton Turnpike, the location
of the First Bull Run

The Battle

28th 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 railroad
29th Aug. Lee and Longstreet bring rest of North
Virginia army to support Jackson. Brief clashes but
Longstreets men remain inactive
30th 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 withdraw
2nd Sep. Pope and his defeated army reach
Washington DC

Aftermath

Pope removed from office 2nd Sep.

Boosted Confederate confidence and morale
Even more humiliating than first defeat at
Manassas
Caused feuding in federal high command
Public in North losing faith in military
leaders
Britain started thinking about intervention
British PM Palmerston decided to wait for
the next Confederate move before acting

Fredericksburg

Overview
DATE: December 11-15 1862
RESULT: Confederate Victory
CASUALTIES: Around 18,000 ~ 1,300 died
FORCES ENGAGED: Around 172,000 ~ 100,000 Union, 72,000
Confederate
COMMANDERS: Union Ambrose E. Burnside

Confederates Robert E. Lee

FEATURES:
-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 battle
REASON 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 gained
Confederate morale soared won whilst
outnumbered
Burnsides defeat sowed the seats of
insubordination leading to his ineffective second
offensive against Lee in January 1863
Burnside then resigned, replaced by Joe Hooker
It islow
well that war is so
Union morale
terrible, or we should
grow too fond of it