Meade's "Breakthrough" at Fredericksburg
December 13, 1862
December 13, 1862
On December 13, 1862 an assault by Meade's Division of the Union army almost broke through Stonewall Jackson's
battleline at the Battle of Fredericksburg. If successful, this assault would have changed the outcome of the battle
and perhaps the war. Instead, because of a lack of support and because of the massive Confederate counterattack,
this assault was thrown back across the railroad embankment in failure.
Now, for the first time, a book has been written on this assault and on the men who fought on both sides of that
struggle. This work details the movements of Meade's Division of The Pennsylvania Reserves (joined by the 121st
and 142nd Pa regiments) to Fredericksburg as well as the race of Stonewall Jackson's Corps to meet them. It details
all of the action and contains a full muster of regiments on both sides of the struggle. Maps and photographs of over
110 participant soldiers are included. The book is available autographed from the author Don Ernsberger for $35.00
plus $3.00 postage -- Don Ernsberger 749 Aldrin Ave, Lansdale, Pa 19446 ..... same day turnaround mailing
battleline at the Battle of Fredericksburg. If successful, this assault would have changed the outcome of the battle
and perhaps the war. Instead, because of a lack of support and because of the massive Confederate counterattack,
this assault was thrown back across the railroad embankment in failure.
Now, for the first time, a book has been written on this assault and on the men who fought on both sides of that
struggle. This work details the movements of Meade's Division of The Pennsylvania Reserves (joined by the 121st
and 142nd Pa regiments) to Fredericksburg as well as the race of Stonewall Jackson's Corps to meet them. It details
all of the action and contains a full muster of regiments on both sides of the struggle. Maps and photographs of over
110 participant soldiers are included. The book is available autographed from the author Don Ernsberger for $35.00
plus $3.00 postage -- Don Ernsberger 749 Aldrin Ave, Lansdale, Pa 19446 ..... same day turnaround mailing
Author Ernsberger explains the battle while on tour
The Book - Now Available
The Descendants Tour December 9th 2012
On Sunday December 9th, 67 descendants of the soldiers who fought on both sides of the "Meade's Breakthrough"
assault came to Fredericksburg Virginia to take part in a 150th Anniversary walk of the battlefield where their
ancestors had fought and, for some, died. Traveling from as far as Washington State, Michigan, Georgia and New
York, these great great grandchildren of the soldiers from The Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern
Virginia would spend seven hours exploring areas infrequently seen by most tourists and even Civil War buffs. Don
Ernsberger would take them for three hours in the morning to the triangle swamp; to the railroad embankments; to
the location of Meade's right wing attack. They would see the ground upon which Sinclair and Magilton and
Jackson's Brigades would form and where the Union artillery rolled its guns. After a lunch break they would explore
Prospect Hill where Confederate artillery overlooked the Union advance; to the old logging trails and explore the still
present trench lines of Atkinson's Georgians and Lane's North Carolinians.
assault came to Fredericksburg Virginia to take part in a 150th Anniversary walk of the battlefield where their
ancestors had fought and, for some, died. Traveling from as far as Washington State, Michigan, Georgia and New
York, these great great grandchildren of the soldiers from The Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern
Virginia would spend seven hours exploring areas infrequently seen by most tourists and even Civil War buffs. Don
Ernsberger would take them for three hours in the morning to the triangle swamp; to the railroad embankments; to
the location of Meade's right wing attack. They would see the ground upon which Sinclair and Magilton and
Jackson's Brigades would form and where the Union artillery rolled its guns. After a lunch break they would explore
Prospect Hill where Confederate artillery overlooked the Union advance; to the old logging trails and explore the still
present trench lines of Atkinson's Georgians and Lane's North Carolinians.
Descendants of the men of the Pennsylvania Reserves
at the famous stone pyramid
at the famous stone pyramid
Don Ernsberger, author and tour guide
points out the gap in the rebel lines
points out the gap in the rebel lines
Exploring the woods near the railroad tracks
Plunging into the triangle swamp
A Confederate cannon on Prospect Hill
A hill in the woods - Atkinson's Georgia Brigade
trenches in the background
trenches in the background
Looking down from Prospect Hill in the 1880's - before the pyramid and before the Industrial Park
A post-war reunion of the Tennessee Brigade of Archer standing on top of Prospect Hill
9th Pa Reserve descendant, Robert Luther, at the location
of the stone wall his great great grandfather defended.
of the stone wall his great great grandfather defended.
Father & Son... Richard Dusenbury Sr & Jr
(Private G.W. Ludington Co F 7th Pa Reserves
(Private G.W. Ludington Co F 7th Pa Reserves