From this hill (now called Lee’s Hill) a little to the east, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee watched the First Battle of Fredericksburg. As armies prepared for combat, Lee commented that “It is well that war is so terrible—we should grow . . . — — Map (db m1654) HM
December 13, 1862. Watching the battle from the crest of this hill, Confederate commander R. E. Lee remarked: “It is well that war is so terrible – we should grow too fond of it!” In no battle were the Confederates more fortunately . . . — — Map (db m110489) HM
The hill in front of you, once called Telegraph Hill but now known as Lee's Hill, served as General Robert E. Lee's headquarters during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Throughout the afternoon of December 13, 1862, Lee and his generals watched . . . — — Map (db m220050) HM
(Left marker):
Here and on hills to the left and right the Confederates developed a powerful concentration of artillery.
Enfilading Fire
During the Federal attacks of December 13, 1862, Confederates cannon poured devasting . . . — — Map (db m4178) HM
General Robert E. Lee used this hill as a command post during the Battle of Fredericksburg. It has borne his name ever since.
Lee’s View from Here
Civilians viewing this scene might have focused their attention on the picturesque . . . — — Map (db m4162) HM
December 13, 1862. Watching the battle from the crest of this hill, Confederate commander R. E. Lee remarked: “It is well that war is so terrible – we should grow too fond of it!” In no battle were the Confederates more fortunately . . . — — Map (db m110489) HM
“My army is as much stronger for these new entrenchments as if I had received reinforcements of 20,000 men.”
- R.E. Lee, Decenber 14, 1862
Preparing Breastworks
In December, 1862, the Confederates had no organized . . . — — Map (db m4180) HM
General Lee conferred with some of his officers here at the start of the Chancellorsville Campaign. A few days later, Union soldiers overran Lee’s Hill.
Report on the action at Lee’s Hill by Colonel Henry Coalter Cabell commanding artillery . . . — — Map (db m4182) HM
This hill served as General Robert E. Lee's command post during the Battle of Fredericksburg. Before the fighting started, Confederate pioneers cut down trees on the front slope of the hill, giving the Confederate leader a better view of the . . . — — Map (db m220049) HM
On this hill on December 13, 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee twice nearly met personal disaster. While firing its 39th round of the day, a 30-pounder Parrott Rifle (like the one in front of you) burst, sending chunks of metal across the . . . — — Map (db m8862) HM
December 13, 1862. Here in the Lansdowne Valley Longstreet’s right flank joined with “Stonewall” Jackson’s left. Confederate infantry was deployed on the valley floor and cannon rimmed the hills behind, forming a deep pocket in the . . . — — Map (db m4116) HM
Two weeks of Union delay before the Battle of Fredericksburg gave the Confederates time to bring up large cannons rarely seen on other battlefields in Virginia. The sturdy gun emplacements above you protected a huge siege gun, capable of firing a . . . — — Map (db m220048) HM
Army of Northern Virginia
General Robert E. Lee, Commander
Brigadier General W. N. Pendleton
Chief of Artillery
304 guns on the battlefield
Army of the Potomac
Major General A. E. Burnside, Commander
Brigadier General H. J. . . . — — Map (db m4135) HM
December 13, 1862. Here, on the wood’s edge facing the fields of the Lansdowne Valley, Gen. George Pickett’s 9,000 men, including soldiers from Fredericksburg, held a vital part of Lee’s line. The enemy did not attack Pickett’s Division and the men . . . — — Map (db m4124) HM