Ambrose Burnside’s Federals are finally poised to cross the Rappahannock River in northern Virginia, while Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s Confederates hurry to reinforce Robert E. Lee’s army behind Fredericksburg.
Tag: Abraham Lincoln
The Army of the Potomac Mobilizes
The Army of the Potomac mobilizes for its march on Fredericksburg under its new commander, Ambrose E. Burnside.
Burnside Proposes a Bold New Strategy
Ambrose E. Burnside takes command of the Federal Army of the Potomac and quickly develops a plan to move southeast down the Rappahannock River to the key Virginia town of Fredericksburg.
Seeking to Open the Mississippi
Nathaniel P. Banks receives orders assigning him to command the Federal Department of the Gulf, operating mostly in Louisiana and Texas. Banks would eventually succeed the controversial Benjamin F. Butler.
Lincoln Removes McClellan
George B. McClellan receives orders finally removing him as commander of the Federal army that he had created.
Crumbling into Bloodstained Fragments
Democrats make substantial gains in both the Federal and state elections, which reflects growing dissatisfaction with Abraham Lincoln’s war policies among northern voters.