The Sunken Road

"Always a fun time learning our history. You can feel the intensity here..."

"Fredericksburg is so built up with the modern world that the battlefield is almost hard to envision, but one spot still stands the test of time ... the sunken road. The sunken road is accompanied by an authentic period home, still showcasing battle wounds, and an authentic original part of the wall. The wall in which confederate soldiers would seek cover behind while firing down on the advancing federal soldiers. The wall played an instrumental role in aiding the advantage of Confederate soldiers firing from Maryes Heights. Having been to nearly all battlefields in the eastern theater, Fredericksburg wasn't on the impressive side of my favorites list, but this sacred and preserved spot seemed to make it all worth it. Definitely if you're visiting the battlefield make this particular spot a priority to see."

"Plenty of parking even in the heard of Fredericksburg. If you've not been, and you're in the area, you should check it out."

"This is a great place to learn about history"

"During the first Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862, the wall at the Sunken Road protected Southern soldiers fortunate to stand behind it. Behind the wall, only around 300 Confederate soldiers were shot. By contrast in front of the wall, approximately 8,000 Union soldiers were hit. You can walk this same road. It's a short walk and sections of the original wall still remain. It's worth a visit if you are anywhere near the area! --To support the main Union attack south of Fredericksburg at Prospect Hill and the Slaughter Pen Farm, the Right Grand Division of Gen. Edwin V. Sumner was tasked with tieing down the Confederate forces on the north end of the field. Confederate Gen. James Longstreet’s First Corps occupied a series of five hills to the west of the town collectively known as Marye’s Heights. Some 900-yards of open fields rising up from the town led to the Confederate position. After exiting the town, Federal troops would lack significant cover as the assaulted the enemy position. A millrace ran north and south half-way across, requiring the attacking troops to form into columns to cross what was left of three bridges. Near noon on December 13th, Sumner initiated repeated attacks on the Confederate lines. Utilizing a sunken road and stout stonewall, the Southern defenders beat back assault after assault. By the end of the day, elements of the Union II, III, V, and IX Corps slammed into Longstreet's line. Not one attacker touched the stonewall, and not one entered the Sunken Road. In total, seven Union divisions made 14 separate, fruitless charges against the sunken road. Nearly 1-in-3 Federal soldiers became a casualty in the Marye's Heights sector on December 13. -- (Source: American Battlefield Trust)"