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Not many Civil War battles were fought during the month of December, however two would come within a couple weeks of each other during December 1862... This one, fought inside and out, the City of Fredericksburg, VA along the Rappahannock River and the Battle of Stones River, in Tennessee at the end of December.
Fredericksburg was one of the most one-side battles of the war with the Union losing over 12,000 casualties and the Confederacy less than half that amount.
Many of the Union losses were taken when several brave, but suicidal charges were attempted against a well fortified Confederate position just east of town. Seven Union divisions were sacrificed in the effort.
This is not to say the North had no opportunity to win the battle. Early in the day, along a stretch of railroad, south of town a brief breakthrough of Confederate lines took place, but no reserves were pushed forward to take advantage.
The night of December 13th was frigid and many of the wounded literally froze to the ground.
Fredericksburg was one of the most one-side battles of the war with the Union losing over 12,000 casualties and the Confederacy less than half that amount.
Many of the Union losses were taken when several brave, but suicidal charges were attempted against a well fortified Confederate position just east of town. Seven Union divisions were sacrificed in the effort.
This is not to say the North had no opportunity to win the battle. Early in the day, along a stretch of railroad, south of town a brief breakthrough of Confederate lines took place, but no reserves were pushed forward to take advantage.
The night of December 13th was frigid and many of the wounded literally froze to the ground.
