Battle Of Fredericksburg Importance

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Not only was topography an important influence upon the development of the Battle of Fredericksburg, but it also contributed, to a significant extent, towards the ultimate Confederate victory. The lay of the land offered the Confederates a strategic and commanding vantagepoint atop Marye's Heights and Prospect Hill, and the Rappahannock River acted as a defense buffer, increasing the challenge of the Union crossing into Fredericksburg. On the other hand, the land posed several challenges for the Confederates; the thick morning fog over the river concealed the approaching Unionists and gave them time to lay their pontoon bridges, the terrain of Jackson's command post at Prospect Hill was weak, and the relatively gradual slope of the heights