Chris Mackowski - Chancellorsvilles Forgotten Front: The Battles of Second Fredericksburg and Salem Church, May 3, 1863

Jointly

We cannot thank Ted Savas enough for supporting this effort from day one. Ted allowed us to bring to life a story we are both highly passionate about. From the bottom of our hearts: thank you, Ted.

We would also like to thank Rob Ayer, Lindy Gervin, Veronica Kane, the indispensible Sarah Keeney, and Yvette Lewis of Savas Beatie. The support theyve offered to this book, and to us as authors, has been deeply gratifying. Thanks also have to be extended to our cartographer, Hal Jespersen. His maps are an outstanding addition to this book.

Finally, we would like to thank Lawrence Larry Hjalmarson. Larry is a descendent of Capt. Sewell Gray, of the 6th Maine. If it were not for Larry donating a transcription of Grays diary to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, this book may have never existed. Once Kris unwittingly found this very thin green folder wedged between two books in the Fredericksburg library, our passion for the battles was truly born. Larry and his wife, Ginny, were kind enough to travel from Texas to Virginia in the summer of 2009 for a Second Fredericksburg tour led by Kris. At that time, Larry handed us a beautifully transcribed copy of the diary; included in this transcription were portraits of the young officer as well as pictures of the actual pages of the diary itself. We cant thank Larry enough for his support in this long endeavor.

From Kris

In the summer of 2006, I was a young seasonal park ranger at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (FSNMP) in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I had just completed my undergraduate degree in history and was looking to make my mark in the world of Civil War history. As I searched for the right project, I sat down with my friend, mentor, and fellow ranger/historian Frank OReilly. For nearly an hour, he and I kicked around idea after idea before he finally suggested that I take a look at the Second Battle of Fredericksburg. I was well aware of the battle because I led daily walking tours down the famous Sunken Road, but I was not sure whether there was enough there to spark my interest.

However, I began delving into the topic. And the more I read in secondary sources, the more fascinated I became. The story of the men, the battle, and the impact on the Chancellorsville campaign as a whole was either glossed over or ignored altogether in many contemporary and secondary works.

After numerous meetings with Frank, I set to work. Without his guidance in the early days, months, and years of this project, I would have gotten nowhere. I cannot thank him enough for his support and encouragement throughout this project.

Thanks must be extended, too, to historian Noel Harrison. Noel was and still is the reigning expert at FSNMP on the Second Battle of Fredericksburg and Salem Church. I spent countless hours in his officewhich is also the librarypulling sources, studying maps, and picking his brain. Noel always wanted to know what Id dug up, and his enthusiasm for the project was heartwarming and genuine.

Donald Pfanz at FSNMP is a rare treasurea scholar and a gentleman. When I needed a source or had a lead, he always knew where to find what I was looking for. Don is truly a great person and even better friend. He reminded me time and again that others had attempted to bring a Second Fredericksburg manuscript to life, but up until this point none of those efforts had seen the light of day. His words helped motivate me, and his meticulous reading of our manuscript meant the world to both me and my co-author, Chris Mackowski. This project truly never would have seen the light of daybecoming instead yet another addition to the long list of failed manuscripts about the campaignwere it not for Don.

By 2009 I had gathered much of the material that would be used in creating this work, though I still was not at the point of putting pen to paper. Greg Mertz and John Hennessy at FSNMP allowed me to take what research I had and turn it into the parks first-ever History at Sunset tour, built purely around the Second Battle of Fredericksburg. This tour was not only one of the highlights of my National Park Service career, it allowed me to hash out the story and sources into a comprehensive story line and present it to a crowd of over 250a great, yet frightening way to present the latest research on the topic.

Over the years, others have been more than supportive of this endeavor, be it through their words of encouragement or their efforts in helping in the research of the project. They always stood beside me through thick and thin, and I will never forget them for it: Joseph Haydon (US Army, Retired); the late Major General Thomas Cleland; my dear friend Dr. James Good; the always-entertaining Richard Chapman (FSNMP); the ever-boisterous Jake Struhelka; the incomparable Ray Castner; Becky Cumins (FSNMP); Randy Washburn (FSNMP); Ryan Longfellow (FSNMP); Beth Parnicza (FSNMP); Eric Mink (FSNMP); Matt Stanley; Greg Kurtz; Thomas Breen; Lee Wolfe; Royce and Ginny Cook; Kin Glover; J. D. Cribbs; Conway Richardson; Kati Engel; John Cummings; Jon Gerlach; Mark Allen; Dick Fleming; and Ben Huggybear Lamb. Thanks also to my longtime brothers and friends from western Pennsylvania, Roger Doty, Doug Wilson, Pat Larkin, and the rest of the men of the 140th Pennsylvania. Finally, my thanks to the man who always knows where he is, Joseph Obidzinski.

To Gregg Kneipp, Craig Johnson, Chuck Lockhart, Keith Kelly, Regina Carrico, and Kate Sargent: thank you! You went above and beyond, and I would not be where I am today without all of you.

We have to thank the historians who took the time to read and critique the manuscript during its development: Daniel Davis, formerly of FSNMP; Phill Greenwalt, ranger/historian at the George Washington Birthplace; Rea Redd at Waynesburg University; Dr. James Broomall at the University of North Florida; Clint Schemmer at the Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star ; Steward Henderson (FSNMP), a great friend and historian Patrick Larkin; historian Edward Alexander at Pamplin Park; Greg Mertz Supervisory Historian (FSNMP) and the aforementioned Donald Pfanz.

I cannot give enough thanks to my colleague, co-author, and best friend, Chris Mackowski. Chris and I met at the FSNMP in the summer of 2005. At the time, I was an underpaid and overenthusiastic intern and he was a volunteer from New York state who brought his daughter Stephanie to volunteer at the park. In our first day on the line together, a friendship was formed almost instantly. Since then, he and I have trekked across numerous battlefields in varying states of weather. We have written numerous articles and books, created a website for emerging Civil War authors, and formed a friendship that transcends research and writing. He was the best man at my wedding, and I couldnt ask for a better partner in all of our writing projects. If it were not for his encouragement and motivation, this project would never have seen the light of day. His constant enthusiasm for the Civil War and for writing is contagious. I am eternally grateful that he agreed to be a part of this seven-year project and endure the hardships that go along with a work of this breadth.

Finally, I have to thank my family. My parents Donna and Evan have always nurtured my love for history. If it were not for my fathers love of cars, I would never have stepped foot on the Gettysburg battlefield and found my love for history. Their constant and unwavering support make all of my projects possible.

My sisters Karen and Kim are my biggest fans and do whatever they can to help advertise projects. They push me to be the best I can be. My nephews Colton and Trevor inspire me with their love of history and support of my projects. My brothers-in-law Joe and Jeff have always been there for me and have supported me in every way possible. My brother Kevin took me across battlefields on overnight and day trips when I was young. Our adventures across those fields and to many flea markets on the way have filled me with stories beyond my years. My Aunt Nancy and Uncle Gerry took me to battlefields and historic places I had never heard of as a kid, from Droop Mountain to Philippi and every little place in between. My in-laws have embraced my love and endured trips across many a field with me.