The day after Christmas , he began making preparations for a new offensive .
Following his defeat in the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 , Burnside was desperate to restore his reputation and the morale of his Army of the Potomac .
The day after Christmas , Burnside began making preparations for a new offensive .
Following his defeat in the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 , Burnside was desperate to restore his reputation and the morale of his Army of the Potomac .