A comparison of the river view side of Chatham, from December 11, 2024 to December 10, 1862 (162 years ago).
From our friends at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields National Military Park
After deciding to attack the Confederates at Fredericksburg directly and issuing preparatory orders to the army on December 9, Burnside began hearing of discontent among the Army of the Potomac's officer corps over the plan. To quel the dissent Burnside summoned his chief subordinates to a meeting at Chatham.
Meeting around noon on December 10, Burnside laid out the plan for his corps and division commanders. The Army was to surge across the river, strike the Confederates, and seize the roads leading south, isolating Longstreet's half of the Army of Northern Virginia from Richmond and reinforcements.
Some of the Union Generals expressed concern over the high ground occupied by the rebel forces west of town. Burnside shot down their concerns. He had made his decision, and their role now was not to criticize but to assist him "loyally with your advice and hearty service."
Photo - Chatham in December 1862 - courtesy of the National Archives