The Battle for Marye’s Heights: 160th Anniversary of Fredericksburg

The famous battle for Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg. Going from Marye’s Heights to the Sunken Road with Dr. Chris Mackowski, Kris White, Dan Davis and Sarah Kay Bierle. #FredericksburgTour
This video is part of our series commemorating the 160th Anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg. Check out the full series here: • Fredericksburg: 160th ...

[@travisbayles870]

My great great great grandfather Corporal Richard Pierce of Co B 27th North Carolina Infantry Regiment fought at Maryes Heights at Fredericksburg

[@jasonwilliamson8416]

My great great grandfather served in the 7th West Virginia, which had the dubious honor of spearheading the attack on the stonewall. He actually survived the war unscathed and was mustered out of service shortly after Appomattox.

[@andrewbowles65]

How did that work out? West Virginia quitters

[@andrewbowles65]

Burnside didn’t cross for lack of pontoons, he was a coward. He created a slaughterhouse

[@travisbayles870]

Salute from Alabama to the soldiers of both sides at Fredericksburg

[@frederictunaitis3172]

It is because of videos like these that has rekindled my interest in American History and especially the Civil War. You guys are great at bring the past back to life and preserving our history. Thank you all so much.

[@jimmyc3755]

It is so sad to see how much of the Fredericksburg battle field has been lost to development. It is disrespectful. Since I was there almost 20 years ago I am stunned in how little is left. The sunken road is an afterthought today. What a shame.

[@UAPReportingCenter]

The Gettysburg site should be a model to every other significant Battlefield in America. These places need to be preserved. I am literally at the Fredericksburg site right now for the first time and it’s astonishing the difference between here and Gettysburg.

[@pshawhudson]

Brewer Maine here. I look forward to you guys doing this every year. Thank you so much. It's nice that you are there during the same time period when the battle took place.

[@teresawhite7563]

My 3rd great grandfather Captain George Ruby was killed at Marye's Heights 12/12/1862. 18th Mass. Thank you for this and all your videos and efforts to promote and preserve our history.

[@danjeys4999]

Almost 14000 I think never a more pointless stupid plan without a shred of cover

[@lonewolf744]

This is my home town. Pretty cool. Been here my whole life.

[@columbaiona3081]

Great vids guys! I was there on Marye’s Heights in September - very impressive. Came over from Ireland to see as many ACW sites as I could fit in!

[@carywest9256]

My ancestor Nathaniel West came from the Emerald isle in the 1760s. He's my 3rd.Great grandfather, his son John C. was born in Southwest Louisiana in 1816. He was 45 having to join the Confederate Army. He was a member of the 12th.Texas Cavalry Co. E. He survived the war,fighting the bluebellies in Louisiana, Arkansas and the bootheel of Southeast Missouri. That area including Texas and also the lndian Nations(modern day Oklahoma) was called the Trans-Mississippi Department. I will truthfully that as a young boy l went to Vacation Bible School one summer Then at about age 10 Mom and Dad and myself started going to a Catholic Church here in Texas. My Mom had been baptized when she was a young girl. The priest stated that it wasn't necessary for her to be baptised again, but Dad and l were in that Church. I know about the Troubles that started in the 1960s from seeing news reports on the T.V. Here in America, denomination is'nt a serious subject as in lreland and Northern lreland. I hope l did'nt ruffle any feathers bringing it up. I find it ironic though going from a Prod to being dunked a Catholic. I'm not a faithful going to mass Catholic either. If you are from The Republic of lreland, what is the percentage of non-Catholics are there in the Country?

[@buckappel6835]

We visited Fredericksburg while stationed at Quantico in 1969 but the only thing I remember was a cemetery and a small museum with a lot of firearms from that time. period. I’m sure a lot has changed in the past 50 years

[@stevenlitkey9354]

Been to that battlefield as well as many others. I loved it !! Standing on the Heights, the sunken road, the southern end of the battlefield, and Chatham House. And the battlefield cemetery. Great Great treasures !!!

[@dadsongs]

I've got to tell you that this series might be your best effort, American Battlefield Trust. I don't mean to cast any shade on that Gary Adleburg guy (🙂), but I was spellbound throughout this entire three video series on Fredericksburg. You folks have heart, with no agenda other than to keep the memory alive. Funny note: About five minutes before the end I was thinking that Dr. Chris missed his opportunity to tell the northern lights story. But no sooner than I thought that than -- there it was! May each one of you, each in your own way, have a season of health, prosperity, love, and light. Thank you so much.

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

Thank you Bruce!

[@mikejerrell1297]

Some of my ancestors served with Barksdales , Mississippians. I’ve been to Fredericksburg and like Gettysburg and Vicksburg. I can feel something special. Call it energy.

[@UAPReportingCenter]

The Gettysburg site should be a model to every other significant Battlefield in America. These places need to be preserved. I am literally at the Fredericksburg site right now for the first time and it’s astonishing the difference between here and Gettysburg.

[@mjciavola]

Sarah....up and coming historian.👍

[@Mis-AdventureCH]

Thanks for keeping the ghastly condos they put up across from dead mans curve out of the frame. Tried to save that property but y'all weren't interested. Last attack of the day (Hawkins Brigade) came down that unfinished railroad. Only union unit that got close to the wall.

[@jimchumley7907]

The conclusion of this video made me weep. I embarrassingly weep whenever I walk through the sunken road at Anteidam and in that field that's referred to as Picketts Charge and other Battlefield areas that stire my heart so much. I always wear sunglasses, even on an overcast day so nobody sees me weeping. The Lord gas given me a broken and tender heart for the masses of lives lost on those battlefields. I often weep too from the pain my Lord and Savior went through on that cruel cross for all mankind and the battle Jesus fought to free us all. Excelent job men and lady for this awesome presentation.

[@delnunley7026]

Love these videos. I’m in Wyoming and don’t get back to these sites very often. I so enjoy these so much.

[@garoldjohnson361]

Missed it live but watched all the videos. They are great. You guys did a great job. I came there about 4 years ago. Man what a place. Thanks for all you do.

[@tonyvirando6047]

Tremendous job ! Such an interesting battle and quite sad that modern structures now scar such historical areas such as Fredericksburg. Please keep up the great work to preserve our history!

[@joelandwehr6382]

Never been but feel like I have because ABT battle anniversery videos do such a great job of communicating the battlefield action. Been watching for several years. Thank you.

[@waynepurzner145]

My Uncle Louis Weyand in a letter I have wrote how he got shot five times while charging the Marye’s Heights wall. His military record states he received five gunshots and two other wounds. Uncle Louis served in the Seventh New York stating how he was fighting twenty yards from the wall. In a NY Times article he commented how he laid in his own blood for half a day, afraid of rising and getting shot through the heart.

[@carywest9256]

No bluebelly came within 50 yards of the stonewall, it's well documented. So sell that story someplace else. Because Texicans don't buy New York yankee guff!

[@thomaswilkinson3241]

I visited the sight in 2016. Was leaving quite the impression in my Memory.

[@jonrettich4579]

Thank you. You have helped clarified Burnsides behavior. Field communication and the acoustic shadow are an all to frequent serious problem. I still think that Burnside’s generalship is open to serious criticism. The more successful Union generals would not budge from their decisions despite extreme pressure and the initial tardiness of the arrival of the pontoons though I don’t think his fault condemned the operation and it’s hoped for effects before it even started. Franklin’s actions during and after the battle deserve a long hard look

[@lonnieparsons6068]

I visited the site in November 2019. I was struck by the irony of all the Union Soldiers interred on the heights, a place they never were able to take while they were living.

[@carywest9256]

Yeah,that's funny HA Ha not funny quare!

[@gat2asp919]

Visited Shiloh on the anniversary this year then hit The Battle Above the Clouds and finished it off with the Nation Civil War Museum and finally Fredericksburg. As a Civil War nut it was absolutely awesome.

[@carywest9256]

Your not a Civil War nut, but a War Between the States maven. Now don't that sound better?

[@Brian-zp1df]

If you look around the field you will see small patches all over where people have been getting away with digging up bullets etc. The park people there are rarely seen anywhere but inside the building doing who knows what

[@chevy3gm]

Richard Kirkland is a hero. I visited his grave in Camden, SC.

[@michaelmento1939]

Great job!

[@10_a_see]

Take note of the stonework of the original wall; each rock is precisely placed. I can see how it is still standing.

[@01SOMWS6]

I have 4 ancestors in the 53rd PA under Col Brooke. All were wounded. Two in the leg, 1 in the shoulder, 1 in the wrist/hand. Awesome video All....love the content. Thanks for your great efforts in preserving these sites!

[@jimwilson7824]

Really enjoyed this video. I hope to visit this battlefield some day. It was closed when I came through several years ago because of a government shutdown. Is any part of the area near the river where Barksdale’s men harassed the Union engineers and fought in the city been preserved?

[@dt8814]

I've lived here in FXBG and I find this series fascinating.

[@scottanderson6670]

Thank you so much for all you do in preserving our history!

[@bobbyblizzard8488]

Great video series, thank you for sharing!

[@sethmaxfield6658]

I always find that story about Sumner confronting Burnside to be particularly poignant... it really puts into perspective how little Burnside could trust his senior subordinates even before the Jan '63 intrigues. Between that and Lincoln still finding his way as a commander-in-chief, it makes his uncharacteristic stubbornness when insisting that the attacks continue that much more understandable

[@brentk1694]

😅

[@larrystanley5370]

Enjoy your videos here Hopewell VA

[@BenFaffler]

A relative of mine, John Knap, 4th Ohio Infantry. He was on the far right of the Union lines, under Sumner. I dont know much about the regiments involvment other then they were engaged at Maryes heights. He went on to serve through almost every major battle of the war until after the first battle of Petersburg. Then his enlistment papers ran out.

[@carywest9256]

Do your research, it's not hard nowadays, lessen your just too damn lazy!

[@johnmonroe7378]

My Great Great Grandfather- Daniel Wooten - 7th South Carolina - Kershaws Brigade, fought there.

[@carywest9256]

Hooray for South Carolina DEO VINDICE

[@forwardobserver6441]

If things were different I wouldn’t be here today- I had family with company I 8 Alabama and 3 company Washington artillery. Deo vindice forefathers.

[@mbBoyce]

There is no controversy on Richard Kirkland. He was witnessed and the event is recorded in similar fashion to other stories we accept as fact. He is a hero from Kershaw County, SC which 7 CSA generals called home, including James Chestnut whose wife wrote her famous civil war diaries. Camden, Kershaw County, SC, has a huge offering to US history. Come visit us.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

Right now I am reading Allan Nevins's "The Ordeal Of The Union" Volume VI and the political repercussions of this battle on the Lincoln administration (Spoiler Alert) it wasn't good. There were those in the Senate who wanted Lincoln to resign. "The Ordeal Of The Union" is really well worth the time (and money) to read.

[@ABeautfulMess]

I live in Fredericksburg ❤

[@marvmattison5248]

Who was at fault, you asked. Lincoln like you said, but mainly Halleck for blowing Burnside off regarding the immediate need for pontoons. Halleck was so hateful and politically wreckless with jealousy ,spite, etc. that he caused many unnecessary deaths there. Same as he did to Grant just before Shiloh and after. I know that Halleck was one of the South's best weapons, and they knew it yet Lincoln let him keep on as general and at this pt. Sec. in D.C.

[@pimhoff]

Hard to say anything good about Halleck.

[@luisvaldes1568]

There are James Monroe sites in the town.

[@buckappel6835]

Is this the battle that the term “Cannon Fodder” originated?

[@brt-jn7kg]

God damn those politicians for allowing that war to happen and damn then now for getting us close again!!!

[@adhdoggo9614]

I call that tactic the Bowl of Death, it has a proper military name however I am unsure as to what that name might be.

[@kaycox19]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@michaeldouglas1243]

5 🌟

[@hanssteiner4315]

I love the content of the stories but it could be a tad bit slower for me and a bit less hyperspeed. I love to listen to this while laying in bed. But its a bit too fast and hysterical for that. Keep it up and enjoying it. It was Napoleonic speed not Blitzkrieg ! ;)

[@phaecops]

I just visited this park in August. My neice and her husband just bought a house a few hundred yards from it on Lee St.. I was enthralled with the historical significance and biked the sunken road north only to discover it dead ends into an athletic field near Mary Wash College. What you didn't mention that the cannon ball that killed Gen Cobb came through the attic of the whorehouse before it detonated next to the General. LOL

[@carywest9256]

Are you insinuating he was having a dalliance with a soiled dove? She would have been killed or maimed also, from my way of thinking!

[@melissastokes8090]

Sarah ❤ rules Garth 😊

[@bills6963]

Garry Appleton. I’ve heard of him, I think. 😂

[@torycsummers7328]

I was listening intently to Sarah, what happened??

[@zandrbob]

Where can I get his PRESERVE sweatshirt?!

[@AmericanBattlefieldTrust]

shop.battlefields.org/product/american-battlefield-trust-pullover-hooded-sweatshirt-unisex/ABT106

[@jimchumley7907]

The Irish fighting the Irish really didn't happen? Darn and I cried at the particular scene in God's And Generals. LOL!

[@Baskerville22]

Lose the 'hoodie', please, Chris

[@Ugly_German_Truths]

I wish you would stop to use this religious imagery to talk about a murderous battle. Nothing hallowed about being mowed down in fighting. Nothing sacrred about bloodsoaked ground and thus no desecration when the ground is used. This type of language creates a dangerous mindset that worships the idea of war as the true american heritage. You can do so much better.

[@generalbooger9146]

Hindsight historians shusssh.

[@UAPReportingCenter]

Burnside the worst general in modern history

[@zz424]

For a cried out loud you didn't give any good views of down the hill who wanna see down the hill, and you hardly show that at all major Fail