The battle was a disastrous defeat for the Union. Burnside's decision to attack across open ground against a well-entrenched enemy proved disastrous, and his troops suffered heavy casualties. The battle had a significant impact on the Civil War, as it:
* Boosted Confederate morale. The Confederate victory at Fredericksburg boosted the morale of the Confederate army and the Southern people, who had been experiencing a series of defeats.
* Increased criticism of Burnside. The Union defeat at Fredericksburg led to increased criticism of Burnside, who was seen as a poor commander. He was eventually replaced by Major General Joseph Hooker in January 1863.
* Changed the course of the war. The Union defeat at Fredericksburg led to a change in the course of the war. Instead of continuing to focus on the eastern theater of operations, the Union began to focus more on the western theater, where it had more success.
The Battle of Fredericksburg is considered one of the most significant battles of the Civil War. It was a turning point in the war, and it had a lasting impact on the course of the conflict.