In order to take the city, Union troops had to cross the Rappahannock River. Union forces would make an attempt in November of 1863 under the leadership of newly appointed General Ambrose Burnside.

The remaining land would be designated as open space or preserved areas, including the City of Fredericksburg’s easement to the Rappahannock and a connection to current trails along the river.

In October, the Rappahannock Tribe — a federally recognized tribe in Virginia — became the first U.S. tribe to safeguard rights of nature for a state river in its constitution, Mongabay reported.