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John Washington wrote about standing in Fredericksburg (at today’s Old Mill Park) by the shore of the Rappahannock River: Very soon one, of a party of soldiers, in a boat call out to the crowd standing around me do any of you want to come over–Every body said “no,” I hallowed out, “Yes I want…

Stoneman’s Railroad Station, was located below today’s Conway Elementary School site.  According to Noel Harrison, National Park Service historian, Stoneman’s Station was a “flag stop” on the U.S.M.R.R. (R.F.&P.).  It received its name in November of 1862 when it was established to supply the nearby camps of Union General George Stoneman’s III Corps.  About half…

The Falmouth Railroad Station was located on today’s Cool Springs Road, on the site of the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ Lodge. It is the only drawing that exists of the station. The original is at the West Point Library, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. It is by Durfee.

This field-printed general order refers to the period after the battle of Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862) and prior to the “Mud March” Campaign (January 20-24, 1863) when the army is encamped in Stafford County. Somewhere around 25,000-35,000 desertions/absences without leave were recorded during this period. This reflects army commander Major General Ambrose Burnside’s effort to…

Aquia Landing literally became a “military city” and major port facility. On any given day large numbers of ships of all sizes came and departed with logistical loads and people. New logistical innovations were implemented in rail-to-barge-to-rail transfers and advanced loading/unloading docks employed. Millions of pounds of supplies were handled there daily. Aquia Landing

“Valley Forge” unit returns revealed a reality.  Regiments at this point averaged about 400 men of their original 1,000. Many infantry companies reported only 25-30 soldiers present for duty. Units like the attired 110th Pennsylvania Infantry in early January 1863 had so few effectives that it further consolidated its companies (originally 10) from eight to…

Unit Weapons Reports from the Army of the Potomac at the beginning of 1863 revealed 74 % of the army’s infantrymen carried first class rifles. These were either .58 Caliber Springfield Model 1861 Rifle Muskets and similar “contract” rifle-muskets [46%]; .577/.58 Caliber Enfield Rifle Muskets [25%]; or comparable foreign or domestic weapons [3 %]. The…

This rifle-musket contract weapon was produced by Norwich Arms Company in April 1863 for $18.

Certain knowledge that Burnside’s Army of the Potomac (AOP) had been brutally defeated by Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia brought the Federals to their lowest point in morale and effectiveness during the war in the East. Christmas Day, 1862, dawned and Stafford’s winter loomed. Major Rufus Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Infantry, made an important connection: “This…

The following letter, written from Clara Barton to her cousin Elvira, was written the night before the main battle of the Battle of Fredericksburg.  The poignant letter was written from the Lacy House (Chatham Manor) or grounds. The original is in the Library of Congress. Head Quarters 2nd Div. 9th Army Corps – Army of…

In addition to the 7th Michigan Infantry, the 19th and 20th Massachusetts Regiments participated in America’s first combat river assault at the Upper Pontoon Crossing. The “bummer’s cap” shows how some soldiers would show unit pride by wearing Company Letters (required by regulations) together with Regimental Numbers and State Letters.

The 7th Michigan, commanded by Lt. Col. Henry Baxter, and 19th Massachusetts Infantry led the river assault in successive waves. The plan called for the bridge to be completed as the assault proceeded and for the 20th Massachusetts and three other regiments of the brigade to cross on the finished bridge. As the Fredericksburg-side bluff…