On this date 150 years ago, three regiments of Confederate General Robert Rodes Alabama Brigade were attacked by four regiments, three of which were from North Carolina! The fighting was severe along the banks of the Rappohannock south of Fredericksburg where portions of the Army of Northern Virginia were stationed in Winter Camp.

Finding the enemy forces superior in number, the men retreated back near their camp into an open field. There, they were reinforced by the 6th and 26th Alabama. After several hours, the North Carolinians were routed and driven through their camps, many of their men being taken prisoner and they lost all their colors.

Of course, the battle was fought with snowballs, but the Colonels and sometimes even the Brigadier Generals would go out and command their troops in these mock battles which soon became a daily amusement. This must stand as one of the largest snowball fights ever to have occurred in North America. Does anyone know of any others?