Fredericksburg & Winter 1863

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  This post-battle view shows the Fifth Corps crossing site over the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg. One can still see the exit route from the pontoon bridge at the left center on the far side.

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  This artist’s drawing shows the Fifth Corps pontoon bridge being assembled and a panoramic view of the city. The Fifth Corps crossed this bridge on the afternoon of 13 December 1862.

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  This view shows Marye’s Heights in the distance.
  

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  When Sykes Regulars advanced through the city, they observed the destruction wrought on the town by Union volunteer troops who had preceeded them . This illustrates the sacking of Fredericksburg in day and night before the Fifth Corps crossed.

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  This shows the route over which the Regiment marched, along with the rest of the Regular Division, en route to the battlefield beyond.

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  The 11th US Infantry advanced in the dark on 13 December to a position about 80 yards in front of this wall at Fredericksburg. The Regulars lay in front of the wall thru the night and all day on the 14th, most with just enough cover the keep them from being shot by Rebel marksmen.

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  The night of the 14th, the Regulars remained in the devastated town defend it from attack. They re-crossed the river at daybreak on the 15th.

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  The “Mud March.” After the retreat from Fredericksburg, General Burnside ordered another general offensive against Fredericksburg in late December. A terrible winter storm set in and defeated the Union Army’s advance.

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  This camp of the 44th New York Infantry is extremely similar in appearance to the descriptions of that of the 11th US Infantry at the Camp at Potomac Creek. Potomac Creek was the camp of the Regiment from late November 1862 to May 1863.

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  While at Potomac Creek, the troops of the 11th US Infantry pulled picket duty along the Rappahannock River and other locations for three-day periods every ten days during the winter and spring of 1863.

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  Provost guard was another duty performed a number of times by troops of the regiment.

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  The Regulars helped construct and guard the new railroad bridge over Potomac Creek beginning in February 1863.

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  Another view of the Potomac Creek bridge.

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  View of Fredericksburg from Falmouth. This is the view that greeted the Regulars and President Lincoln when he watched the review of the Army of the Potomac at Falmouth on 8 April 1863.