"Fredericksburg Campaign of 1862: Maneuver Warfare " Topic

…at its Worst .

"The aim of this article is to present to the reader an example of an unsuccessful maneuver campaign. For this example, we will scrutinize the Fredericksburg Campaign of 1862. The audience will see this campaign from the Union perspective where concentration will be placed on how Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside developed his campaign strategy, how he executed the campaign as well as the maneuvers that followed the Battle of Fredericksburg which resulted in the "Mud March."

The initial dispositions and the condition of the Army of the Potomac at this point in the war could have been better. The Army of the Potomac was stationed in Warrenton, Virginia at this time and on November 7, 1862. Lincoln replaced Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan with Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside due to his slowness and his failure to accomplish more at the Battle of Sharpsburg. Burnside was chosen due to the distinction he won in the operations that gained control of ports along the North Carolina coast, as well as how he led the IX Corps at Sharpsburg[1]. Keep in mind that even though Lincoln thought that Burnside was deserving of the post, Burnside accepted but with great reluctance. Overall, Burnside possessed some critical flaws in his character, such as being obstinate, unimaginative and unsuited both intellectually and emotionally for high command. It appears that Lincoln chose Burnside for command even though he was not the ideal choice but Burnside was the one who presented the fewest liabilities.

After assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, Burnside faced a very steep learning curve as to knowing where all of the Army of the Potomac's corps was located as well as their relative strengths. President Lincoln wanted action from his new commander and he wanted it immediately and any delay would cause Burnside's removal as well. Lincoln imposed a plan on McClellan which would also be expected to be followed by Burnside, which was to chase Lee southward, moving along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and remain astride his lines of supply in order to press Lee to fight if the opportunity presented itself with the overarching objective of beating Lee back to Richmond.[4] Burnside was now faced with a difficult choice; he could continue the march Lincoln firmly suggested despite the obstacle that Longstreet's corps now posed; he could try to get between the two halves of Lee's army and deal with them separately or he could devise a new plan of action…"
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