From Dec 11 - 15, 1862, nearly 200,000 combatants, the greatest number of any Civil War engagement, participated in one of the largest and deadliest battles of the Civil War. It featured the first opposed river crossing in American military history as well as the Civil War’s first instance of urban combat. On December 13, 1862, the Union main assault against Jackson produced initial success. In an area later known as the Slaughter Pen, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade’s division briefly pierced Jackson’s line and threatened the Confederate right. However, lack of coordinated reinforcements and Jackson’s powerful counterattack stymied the effort. Both sides suffered heavy losses with no gain on either side. Burnside’s “diversion” against Longstreet’s veteran Confederate soldiers produced horrific Union casualties. The front of Longstreet’s position is a sunken farm lane, full of Confederates three ranks deep. Wave after wave of Federal soldiers advanced over open ground to take the road, but were met with devastating rifle and artillery fire from the nearly impregnable Confederate position. Confederate artillerist Edward Porter Alexander’s claims that “a chicken could not live on that field” proved to be prophetic. Lee, appalled by the carnage, remarked, “It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it.” On December 14, as darkness fell on the battlefield strewn with dead and wounded, it was clear that a Confederate victory was at hand. On December 15, Burnside retreated across the Rappahannock, ending the campaign of 1862 in the Eastern Theater.
This tour is along the sunken road at the foot of Marye’s Heights. This is a walking trail in the Fredericksburg National Historical Park (free) It is about one-half mile and takes about an hour. Getting a map from the visitors center may be helpful, and the folks manning the desk are very friendly. There are also several interesting exhibits to view as well as a gift shop (next door).
The Tour This cache consist of 4 stages, with questions at each stage. Once you have all your answers either e-mail or message them to us. Do not claim this find until you have sent your answers.
Stage 1 The Fredericksburg National Cemetery, is the final resting place for over 15,000 United States soldiers. Most of the soldiers died during the Civil War, but there are about 100 20th century soldiers and a couple of spouses. The cemetery was officially closed to further burials in the 1940s.
This monument was Presented to the Fredericksburg and adjacent National Battle Feild Lodge No4A.F&A.M. on May 23 1900.
Question 1 Which President was present at the laying of the monument corner stone?
Stage 2 The Innis House was built between 1856 and 1861. In 1861, the property belonged to Martha Stephens, who resided in another structure 150 feet to the south, but John Innis, Martha’s son, and his wife, Ellen Innis, resided here. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Innis House was directly in the crossfires of the two armies. By the end of the battle the house was greatly damaged, yet the structure was intact and the residents moved back in after the war.
Question 2 What did confederate general Lafayette McLaws write of this house?
Stage 3 The Angel of Marye’s Heights, The morning of December 14 revealed that over 8,000 Union soldiers had been shot in front of the stone wall at Marye's Heights. Many of those remaining on the battlefield were still alive, but suffering terribly from their wounds and a lack of water. Soldiers from both sides were forced to listen to the painful cries of the wounded for hours, with neither side daring to venture out for fear of being shot by the enemy. Sargent Richard Kirkland gathered all the canteens he could carry, filled them with water, then ventured out onto the battlefield. He ventured back and forth several times, giving the wounded Union soldiers water, warm clothing, and blankets. Soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies watched as he performed his task, but no one fired a shot.
Question 3 How old was Sergeant Richard Kirkland when he performed his heroic act?
Stage 4 A home, a headquarters, and a hospital: each of these terms accurately describes "Brompton," the large brick house one the hill above you. Built around 1824, the building was home to John L. Marye, a prominent lawyer and businessman. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, the 3rd South Carolina Infantry took position in front of Brompton,
Question 4 Colonel _______ of the Washington Artillery made this building his headquarters
PLEASE NOTE
When we got permission to placed this cache, we were asked to pass on the following:
1. Please be respectful of area, treat it as a graveyard. Remember there are still solders who have never been found buried where you are.
2. Take nothing but memories of your time here, and photos. Leave nothing but you foot prints.
3. If you get to one of the stops you need to answer a question and there is a tour, be respectful of the tour guide and the group. Wait for them to complete that section of the tour. Listen in you might pick up something you didn't know.
4. Only cache during park hours open daily, 9 am-5 pm. If you try after hours caching, the nice folks with badges will not be happy, and you maybe in trouble.
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.