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Sunday, December 11, 2011

11 December 1862: Thursday - Fredericksburg Occupied

Union - Military
Virginia

On this foggy December morning, General Burnside's troops began constructing five pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock River to Fredericksburg. Sharpshooters from a Confederate brigade under William Barksdale harrassed the builders consistently. By noon, two bridges were laid.

A four-regiment Union force crossed in boats, drove out the Confederates, and the other three bridges were then completed.

On the Union left, troops under William B. Franklin began crossing in the afternoon. A division of E. V. Sumer's corps occupied Fredericksburg by nightfall.

Troops begin a 5-day reconnaissance from Yorktown to Gloucester, Mathews, King and Queen, and Middlesex Counties.

North Carolina
Union troops begin a 10-day expedition from New Berne to Goldsborough.

Confederacy - Military
Virginia

Stonewall Jackson's troops were a few miles back at Guiney's Station. A division was at Yelby's, and on the lower crossings of the Rappahannock. He was ready to move wherever needed to aid Longstreet's defending corps. The main question was just where Burnside would strike.

Tennessee
There is a skirmish at La Vergne, and near Nashville.

Nathan Bedford Forrest, with about 2.500 cavalry, leave Columbia for a raid against Grant's communications.

Western Virginia
There is a skirmish at Darkesville.

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Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971

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