The clearing of the city buildings by Sumner's infantry and by artillery fire from across the river began the first major urban combat of both the war and American history. Union gunners sent more than 5,000 shells against the town and the ridges to the west. By nightfall, four brigades of Union troops occupied the town, which they looted with a fury that had not been seen in the war up to that point. This behavior enraged Lee, who compared their depredations with those of the ancient Vandals. The destruction also angered the Confederate troops, many of whom were native Virginians. Many on the Union side were also shocked by the destruction inflicted on Fredericksburg. Civilian casualties were unusually low given the widespread violence; George Rable estimates no more than four civilian deaths.Rable, pp. 166–67, 177–89; O'Reilly, pp. 57–126; Eicher, pp. 398–99; Goolrick, pp. 53–58.
the clearing of the city buildings by sumner's infantry and by artillery fire from across the river began the first major urban combat of both the war and american history union gunners sent more than 5000 shells against the town and the ridges to the west by nightfall four brigades of union troops occupied the town which they looted with a fury that had not been seen in the war up to that point this behavior enraged lee who compared their depredations with those of the ancient vandals the destruction also angered the confederate troops many of whom were native virginians many on the union side were also shocked by the destruction inflicted on fredericksburg civilian casualties were unusually low given the widespread violence; george rable estimates no more than four civilian deathsrable pp 166–67 177–89; o'reilly pp 57–126; eicher pp 398–99; goolrick pp 53–58