Effective use of Terrain in the American Civil War: The Battle of Fredericksburg, December 1862

Abstract

The environs of Fredericksburg, Virginia, were a major theatre of operations in the American Civil War (1861–1865) beginning with the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. Fredericksburg, located on the Rappahannock River at the Fall Line, was a key obstacle to Union advances on Richmond, the Confederate capital. The battlefield comprised river terraces and gentle slopes with parallel north-south ridges providing structural boundaries on either side. The Confederates exploited the natural barrier of the river and river terraces, which impeded the Union river crossing, while occupying a defensive position on high ground. Tactical advantages were also obtained from obstacles including a major road, a railroad embankment, bogs, dense woods, and stone walls and fences. The Union Army advanced uphill through these obstacles with little cover in their unsuccessful attempts to dislodge the Confederates. Effective use of terrain coupled with high quality leadership thus enabled Confederate forces to defeat their opponents at the Battle of Fredericksburg. This in turn helped to postpone Union capture of Richmond for nearly three years.