This is an important photograph taken by Russell on the day of the Second Battle of Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863. It is one of a series of photographs taken that day of the battle. Russell's first images were taken across the river at the city during the fighting. All that can be seen then is the heavy smoke and haze rising above the buildings as it gets thicker with each new image. Finally, the Confederates are driven from Marye's Heights and Russell crosses the river, climbs over the stone wall, and takes this picture anywhere from twenty minutes to a couple of hours after the fighting. These men are most probably Mississippians of Jubal A. Early's 5,000 man command. We can see what weapons they were using and other equipment strewn almost everywhere, before Union troops had a chance to clean up the site.

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David Upton