VISUAL ACTIVITYBattle of Fredericksburg, 1862 This painting by Private John Richards of the New York Volunteers captures the behind-the-lines Union activity at the battle of Fredericksburg. Long rows of fresh troops await orders to march up the hill to join the fighting under way in the distance. Barely visible, the cavalry charges off into one of the Union’s greatest failures. These foot soldiers will follow the cavalry soon.READING THE IMAGE: What does the artist portray in the lower left of the painting? What are the lines of wagons hauling?CONNECTIONS: At Fredericksburg, General Ambrose Burnside joined the list of failed Union generals. What other Union defeats can be attributed, at least in part, to failed Union leadership?

Private Collection/Peter Newark Military Pictures/Bridgeman Images.