The American Civil War - This Mighty Scourge of War

The fighting 73

opponent's size and material bounty, but
fully matched its confidence. A difficult
winter had compelled Lee to disperse much
of his cavalry to secure food for the horses.
James Longstreet and two of his four
infantry divisions had been detached to
south-east Virginia, where they foraged on
a grand scale and stood guard against
possible Federal incursions from Norfolk

Outraged northerners echoed the feelings of a

soldier who, with an indifferent grasp of spelling but

a clear point of view, called Fredericksburg The

grates Slaughter or the Most Masterly pease of

Boothchery that has hapend during the Ware and not a

thing accomppehsed.' Few images were more galling than

that represented in this post-war engraving: well-

protected Confederates behind a stone wall at the foot

of Marye's Heights pouring musketry into the ranks of

unseen charging Federals. (Author's collection)