Near Fredericksburg in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Pontoon Bridges
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Photographed By Kevin W., January 5, 2008
1. Pontoon Bridges Marker
At Fredericksburg, the Union army crossed the Rappahannock River by means of temporary, floating bridges built upon pontoons. In front of you is a reconstructed section of such a bridge, built to eighty percent of its original size. More than 30,000 Union soldiers crossed the two bridges that spanned the river below you.
Under ideal conditions skilled engineers could construct a bridge in a couple of hours. First, they would row or pole pontoon boats into the river. Then they would connect the boats by means of large side rails known as bulks. Wooden boards, called chesses, placed across the bulks as flooring completed the bridges. Engineers staked the bridge to the shore and dropped anchors in the river to steady it against the force of the current.
Erected 2007 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 38° 18.493′ N, 77°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Between Battles (here, next to this marker); A Bloody Crossing (here, next to this marker); Bombardment (a few steps from this marker); Union Soldiers View (a few steps from this marker); Fredericksburg Campaign (a few steps from this marker); Beleaguered Town (a few steps from this marker); A “Picture of Desolation” (within shouting distance of this marker); Sow…Tend…Harvest (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. The caption for the picture reads, "Union engineers constructed pontoon bridges at three points of the Rappahannock River. This photograph, taken in June 1863, shows pontoon bridges at Franklin's Crossing, two miles down stream."
Also see . . . Building Pontoons on the Rappahannock. Harper's Weekly illustration, and links to accompanying article, of the building of pontoon bridges across the Rappahannock in May 1863. (Submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Photographed By Kevin W., January 5, 2008
2. Pontoon Bridge and Marker
"...In front of you is a reconstructed section of such a bridge, built to eighty percent of its original size."
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
3. Model of Pontoon Boat and Wagon
At the Chancellorsville visitors center, this model shows a pontoon boat and wagon. "Six horses pulled each pontoon wagon. The engineers launched the boats and anchored them side by side across the water. Pre-fitted timbers and planks finished the bridge."
Photographed By Craig Swain, December 13, 2008
4. Where the Engineers Worked
Low ground in front of Chatham where the engineers worked on the pontoons. The ground is within the park boundary along CR 607, but has no parking areas.
Library of Congress
5. Pontoon Bridges Across the Rappahannock, May 1863.
Negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, Positive by Alexander Gardner ©1866 by Gardner.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,978 times since then and 125 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on December 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on March 12, 2021, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
