On October 10, Jackson was promoted to lieutenant general, being ranked just behind General Robert Lee and General James Longstreet and his command was redesignated the Second Corps.
After the victory at Antietam, the soldiers within the Confederacy were on a high. They knew with their commanders in place that they had faith that they could beat the Union. Prior to Thanksgiving, General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson received news that his wife gave birth to a healthy daughter, who was named Julia Thomas Jackson. She was born on November 23, 1862, at the Cottage House in Charlotte, North Carolina.
As winter approached, General Jackson had to hold his 2nd Corps on the heights surrounding Fredericksburg out in the open. However, they had the high ground as the Federal Union force grew closer to town. Between December 11-15th, 1862, the citizens and residents surrounding Fredericksburg had to endure quite the battle.
The Union troops had to cross the Rappahannock River by pontoon boats and during that entire time was getting shot at by Confederate cannons and sharpshooters. As they approached the railroad tracks and the heights west of town, the Confederates held their positions and made the Union treat. It was extremely hard for some regiments because they were fighting brother against brother. The Irish regiments from the Confederacy had to fire their weapons at the Irish regiments of the North and it was devasting to attack their own countrymen.
After the battle, General Stonewall Jackson made his winter headquarters at a plantation named Moss Neck Manor. It became the winter quarters for the entire 2nd Corps. The soldiers were able to camp near the stables and out-buildings to shield themselves from the wind and cold. Stonewall was able to write a letter or two to his wife Anna telling her about the recent victories, and hopes to see her and his daughter in the next few months.