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On this day in the Civil War, the Federal Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Ambrose Burnside, suffers a defeat at the hands of General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate army at the battle of Fredericksburg. Total Federal casualties exceed 12,000.
General Lee commented to a fellow officer, “It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.”
On this day in the Civil War, General Henry Halleck receives a message from Federal General George Thomas, telling him that an attack against General Hood’s Confederate army will commence as soon as the weather allows.
General Henry Halleck
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, half of the city of Charleston, South Carolina is destroyed by a fire. This includes much of the business district.
Charleston, South Carolina
On this day in the Civil War, Federal General George Stoneman leads an expedition aimed at destroying rebel salt and lead mines in southwest Virginia.
General George Stoneman
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
On this day in the Civil War, Southern plantation owners along the Atlantic coast burn their cotton crops to prevent confiscation by Union troops.
Cotton bales
(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)
The Civil War Book 