Monday, January 28, 2013

Burnside Replaced with Hooker

Wednesday, January 28, 1863

By order of President Abraham Lincoln General Ambrose Burnside was removed from command of the Army of Potomac and replaced by General Joseph Hooker. General Edwin "Bull" Sumner, the commander of the Right Grand Division, resigned due to ill health. General William Franklin also resigned his commission due to the change in command.1

References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 226.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Holmes Designated as Provost Marshal of Falmouth

Sunday, January 25, 1863

The Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment was assigned as provost guards of Falmouth in recognition of their splendid service during the battle of Fredericksburg. Captain Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. received the honor of the role of Provost Marshal.1

References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 227.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Burnside's "Mud March"

Tuesday, January 20, 1863

The Twentieth Massachusetts received orders to march toward Fredericksburg, as General Ambrose Burnside planned to advance upon the city and redeem the failure of the attack on December 13. Generals Joseph Hooker and William Franklin were ordered to march north six miles and cross the Rappahannock River at Banks' Ford in a flanking move on Fredericksburg and General Edwin Sumner was to cross at Falmouth to directly assault the city. As the army began their move rain ensued for several days, and the advance of the army was impeded by heavy rain and mud. After three days the campaign, known as the "Mud March," was halted permanently. General Burnside's fate as commander of the Union Army was likewise sealed.1

References:
1George A. Bruce, The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry 1861 - 1865 (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Riverside Press, 1906), 225-26.