Meade Crosses the Rappohannock

Lee

There was no major battle between the armies of Meade and Lee after the fight at Gettysburg in July, 1863. The time had been spent in preparations and maneuvers, most recently in October's Bristoe Campaign, which ended with the armies right back where they started. In late October the Confederate retreated behind the Rappohannock River. Intended to make their winter quarters there. Meade wanted to cross the river at Fredericksburg, moving around Lee's eastern flank, but the government in Washington insisted on an attack on the front.

He believed the found a weakness in Lee's line, where several units remained north of the river, connected to the rest only by a pontoon bridge. Lee hoped that by holding this bridgehead he could threaten any movements that Meade might make. But Meade decided to strike it with the troops of John Sedgwick, while at the same time William French's men crossed the river several miles downstream.

The Battle of the Rappohannock began 150 years ago today on November 7, 1863. When Lee got word of the Federal movements he decided to have the force at Rappohannock Station try to hold out under Sedgwick's attacks, while the rest of the army focused on crushing French. There were 2,000 men in the division of Jubal Early which held the bridgehead, and they came under artillery fire around 3 pm. As the afternoon wore on with no sign of a further attack, the Confederate believed they were safe. But at dusk a blue line appeared heading towards them at the double quick. Before the Confederates could beat them back, the Yankees were over the entrenchments, fighting them hand-to-hand. Within minutes the Confederates had their lines overrun and their retreat cut off with the capture of the pontoon bridge. Some rebels tried to swim the cold river, but most lay down their arms, realizing further resistance was futile.

The Confederates lost nearly 17,000 men, 80% of those engaged. The Federals lost only 419. The Northerners were able to gain this quick and glorious victory because the Confederates had allowed themselves to be surprised in a position where their retreat could easily be cut off. That evening Walter Taylor, on Lee's staff, wrote that it was “the saddest chapter in the history of this army. …  Miserable, miserable, miserable management.” With this defeat overturning his plans, Lee fell back, south of the Rapidan.

Battle of Franklin's Crossing

Robert E. Lee's withdraw from the Fredericksburg on June 3^rd had been observed and reported to Joe Hooker, the Federal commander. Hooker ordered John Sedgwick to advance with his VI Corps and verify these reports. If Lee had indeed abandoned his lines, Hooker would have to move to maintain contact.

John Sedgwick

Sedgwick's men advanced on the morning of the 5^th, 150 years ago today. They encountered Confederate skirmishers from A. P. Hill's Third Corps, which Lee had left behind to foil Union attempts at pursuit. These rebel skirmishers were able to beat back Federal attempts to cross the Rappahannock River at Deep Run. The Union brought up artillery, but its fire still could not drive off the Confederates.

Finally the 26^th New Jersey and 5^th Vermont loaded into pontoon boats to cross the river. They were able to rush across the river and land on the opposite shore. Charging forward, they captured the rifle pits and 35 prisoners. They pushed forward, and encountered more, and stronger, rebel detachments. A fierce skirmish developed, and finally the Confederates were able to drive the Union troops back across the river. The Confederates lost 6 killed in addition to the 35 captured. The Federals lost over 50 men.

Hill

The next day Hill fell back to follow in Lee's tracks. But this small skirmish had convinced Sedgwick and Hooker that Lee was still in his Fredericksburg lines in full force. It would be several more days until another reconnaissance party was sent forward that discovered the truth.