16G 



AKMY OPERATIONS. 



fence. The first that of the Rappahannock 

 river. Above Falmouth its abrupt banks, 

 which are lined with high hills, difficult of ac- 

 cess, and its narrow fords and rocky bottom 

 render a rapid crossing for a large force al- 

 most impossible. Below, the valley of the river 

 expands, spreading often into spacious plains, 

 while the winding course of the stream forms 

 numerous necks of land, easily commanded 

 from the north side, and giving secure crossing 

 places, and ample ground for the formation of 

 troops. At Fredericksburg v the north com- 

 mands the south bank and much of the dis- 

 tance, which is a mile and a half, to the frown- 

 ing hills or table land beyond. But these 

 heights equally command this intermediate 

 plain, and are unassailable in front except by 

 infantry. Next in the rear and twelve miles 

 distant, is the line of the Po river and Stan- 

 nard's Marsh, which is hardly available except 

 to hold a pursuing foe in check. The North 

 Anna is about forty miles from the Rappahan- 

 nock, and affords another principal line of de- 

 fence. It is a deep and rapid stream, with a 

 narrow valley. The table land on its north 

 bank is about one hundred feet above the bed 

 of the river, and about one hundred and fifty 

 on the south bank. The extension of its line 

 after it turns to join the South Anna, and be- 

 comes the Pamunkey, presents scarcely less ob- 

 stacles than the river itself, so well is the 

 ground guarded by swamps and flanked by 

 streams. The last and a minor line of defence 

 is the South Anna river, with the southern com- 

 manded by the northern bank, and too near 

 the North Anna for a second formation by a 

 force that has been badly defeated. Numerous 

 small streams parallel to the line of advance 

 present suitable points for resistance, and pro- 

 tect foes attacking the line of communication, 

 while the bridges over them are weak points 

 necessary to be securely guarded. 



By the 20th a considerable force had reached 

 Falmouth. Gen. Sumner on the next day sent 

 to Fredericksburg the following summons to 

 surrender : 



HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Wov. 21, 1862. 

 To the Mayor and Common Council of Fredericksburg : 

 _ GENTLEMEN : Tinder cover of the houses of your 

 city shota have been fired upon the troops of my com- 

 mand. 



Your mills and manufactories are furnishing provi- 

 sions and materials for clothing for armed bodies in 

 rebellion against the Government of the United States ; 

 your railroads and other means of transportation are 

 removing supplies to the depots of such troops. 



This condition of things must terminate, and by di- 

 rection of Gen. Burnside, I accordingly demand the 

 surrender of the city into my hands, as the represent- 

 ative of the Government of the United States, at or 

 before five o'clock this afternoon. 



Failing an affirmative reply to this demand by the 

 hour indicated, sixteen hours will be permitted to 

 elapse for the removal from the city of women and 

 children, the sick and wounded, and aged, &c. ; which 

 period having expired, I shall proceed to shell the 

 town. 



Upon obtaining possession of the city, every neces- 

 ary means will be taken to preserve order and secure 



the protective operation of the laws and policy of the 

 United States Government. 

 I am, very respectively, your obedient servant, 

 E. V. SUMNER, 

 Brevet Maj.-Gen. U. S. army, 

 Commanding Eighth Grand Division. 



In reply the mayor of the city, M. Slaughter, 

 stated that the firing complained of occurred 

 in the suburbs, and was the act of the Confed- 

 erate officer in command, for which neither 

 the citizens nor authorities were responsible. 

 The other matters complained of, he said, 

 should no longer exist, and proceeded thus: 

 " The civil authorities of Fredericksburg have 

 no control ; but I am assured by the military 

 authorities of the Confederate army near here 

 that nothing will be done to infringe the con- 

 ditions herein named, as to matters within the 

 town ; but the latter authorities inform us that, 

 while their troops will not occupy the town, 

 they will not permit yours to do so." 



The late hour at which the summons was re- 

 ceived rendered it impossible to remove the 

 women and children in the time allowed. 



The reply of Gen. Sumner to the mayor was 

 as follows : 



HEADQUARTERS ElOHT GRAND DIVISION, CAMP NEAR ) 



FALMOUTH, 2fov. 21, 1862. j 



To the Mayor and Common Council of Frederieksburg : 

 Your letter of this afternoon is at band, and in con- 

 sideration of your pledge that the acts complained of 

 shall cease, and that your town shall not be occupied 

 by any of the enemy's forces, and your assertion that 

 a leek of transportation renders it impossible to move 

 the women, children, sick, wounded, and aged, I am 

 authorized to say to you that our batteries will not 

 open upon the town at the hour designated. Gen. 

 Patrick will meet a committee of representatives from 

 your town to-morrow morning at nine o'clock at the 

 Lacy House. 



Very respectfully your obedient servant, 



E. V. SUMNER, 

 Brevet Maj.-Gen. Commanding Division. 



An interview was subsequently held as 

 above mentioned, which resulted in the follow- 

 ing note from Gen. Sumner : 



HEADQUARTERS EIGHT GRASD DIVISION, Nov. 22, 1S62. 

 To the Mayor and Common Council, Fredericksburg : 



I am authorized to say that so long as no hostile 

 demonstration is made from the town it will not be 

 shelled. I have also to say that there will be no firing 

 upon the cars before 11 o'clock p. M. to-morrow. 

 I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, 



E. V. SUMNER, 

 Brevet Maj.-Gen. U. S. A., Commanding. 



The firing upon the cars of the railroad 

 above mentioned was in consequence of the be- 

 lief that they were used to remove military 

 stores from Fredericksbui g. 



As Gen. Burnside's army concentrated on 

 the north bank, Gen. Lee's forces concentrated 

 on the heights in the rear of Fredericksburg. 

 Had the pontoon bridges required been at hand 

 when the advance reached Falmouth, the line 

 of the Rappahannock would have been taken 

 without opposition. Then, with proper sup- 

 plies and bridges, thirty of the sixty miles to 

 Richmond would have been placed within the 

 reach of Gen. Burnside, and perhaps a lodg- 





