thumb|upright=1.6|A map of the Battle of Fredericksburg |alt=Map with lines and arrows showing troops movements around the town and river After a lengthy interlude with little military activity, beginning on October 26, McClellan marched his army across the Potomac River. On November 7, Lincoln replaced McClellan with Burnside. On November 15, Burnside began moving his army south towards Fredericksburg, Virginia, midway between the opposing capitals. On November 18, Longstreet began marching his men out of army headquarters in Culpeper towards Fredericksburg, where the Confederate army would make its stand against Burnside. Since Lee moved Longstreet to Fredericksburg early, it allowed Longstreet to build strong defenses. Longstreet ordered trenches, abatis, and fieldworks to be constructed south of the town along a stone wall at the foot of Marye's Heights. After a lengthy delay, caused by waiting for the arrival of supplies to build pontoon bridges, Burnside attempted to cross the Rappahannock on December 11. Soldiers attempting to lay pontoon bridges encountered fierce resistance from Confederate troops inside Fredericksburg, led by William Barksdale's brigade of McLaws' division. Burnside subsequently ordered an artillery bombardment of the town, and by the following day had moved his army across and occupied Fredericksburg. December 12 saw only a small amount of desultory fighting.
thumb|upright=16|a map of the battle of fredericksburg |alt=map with lines and arrows showing troops movements around the town and river after a lengthy interlude with little military activity beginning on october 26 mcclellan marched his army across the potomac river on november 7 lincoln replaced mcclellan with burnside on november 15 burnside began moving his army south towards fredericksburg virginia midway between the opposing capitals on november 18 longstreet began marching his men out of army headquarters in culpeper towards fredericksburg where the confederate army would make its stand against burnside since lee moved longstreet to fredericksburg early it allowed longstreet to build strong defenses longstreet ordered trenches abatis and fieldworks to be constructed south of the town along a stone wall at the foot of marye's heights after a lengthy delay caused by waiting for the arrival of supplies to build pontoon bridges burnside attempted to cross the rappahannock on december 11 soldiers attempting to lay pontoon bridges encountered fierce resistance from confederate troops inside fredericksburg led by william barksdale's brigade of mclaws' division burnside subsequently ordered an artillery bombardment of the town and by the following day had moved his army across and occupied fredericksburg december 12 saw only a small amount of desultory fighting