Second Battle of Fredericksburg

Cadmus Wilcox's brigade arrived on May 3, increasing Early's strength to 12,000 men and 45 cannons.

Early was ordered by Lee to watch the remaining Union force near Fredericksburg; if he was attacked and defeated, he was to retreat southward to protect the Confederate supply lines.

Sedgwick originally planned to attack the ends of Marye's Heights but a canal and a stream blocked the Union forces.

Without consulting his brigade commander, Colonel Thomas M. Griffin of the 18th Mississippi Infantry granted it, allowing the Union soldiers to examine it more closely.

[10] Sedgwick launched another attack against this flank and Barksdale's front using elements from all three VI Corps divisions, which pushed the Confederate forces off the ridge, capturing some artillery and the 18th and 21st Mississippi Regiments.

When he learned of the Confederate defeat, Lee started moving two divisions east to stop Sedgwick.

Union Troops before Fredericksburg May 1863
Confederate dead behind the stone wall of Marye's Heights, Fredericksburg, Virginia, May 3, 1863
General Haupt and W. Wright, Superintendent of the Mlilitary Railroad survey a Confederate Artillery Battery cassion on Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg Va that was wrecked by Union artillery fire May 5, 1863. This was of the Washington Artillery [ 8 ] of eight artillery pieces,six guns were surrounded under command of Capt Squires and Lt Owen [ 9 ]
Map of Fredericksburg II Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program