Radford, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
New River Bridge
Attack on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, July 16, 2008
1. New River Bridge Marker
On May 10, 1864, the day after defeating Confederate forces in the bloody battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Union Gen. George Crook's Army of the Kanawha attacked and burned this railroad bridge over the New River. During the Civil War, the railroad was a major strategic resource, allowing the rapid massing of troops and the long-distance delivery of food and munitions. U.S. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's plans for a Union offensive on all fronts in 1864 led to the destruction of this important 780-foot bridge.
By mid-morning, Crook's 6,000 men, who had torn up railroad tracks as they advanced from Dublin, arrived at the north end of the bridge with 12 pieces of artillery. Confederate commander Col. John McCausland had placed his 2,000 soldiers and 14 guns at the south end of the bridge after burning the turnpike bridge at Ingles Ferry. Sharpshooters for both sides occupied the riverbanks. The U.S. forces included two future presidents: Col. Rutherford B. Hayes and Lt. William McKinley.
An artillery duel followed. By 1 p.m., the Confederates had expended their ammunition and withdrew to Christiansburg. The Federals then burned the bridge's wooden upper structure but left the stone piers standing for lack of explosives. Deep in enemy territory and unsure of the fate of the other Union armies in Virginia, Crook returned to West Virginia.
this page online
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1865.
Location. 37° 8.057′ N, 80° 34.827′ W. Marker is in Radford, Virginia. It can be reached from Berkley Williams Drive 0.7 miles Charlie Coles Drive. Marker is on pathway that runs along the New River in Bisset Park. From parking lot at western end of the park, walk across picnic area to read the marker. To see the present-day railroad bridge and the old piers, follow the path to your left for a short distance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Radford VA 24141, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia and in the Blue Ridge Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The City by the River (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Railroad Arrives (about 500 feet away); Westward Migration (about 500
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, July 16, 2008
2. Marker Seen through Picnic Shelter
More about this marker. Illustration on the marker is a drawing of the R.R. Bridge at New River by Louis Miller ca. 1853 (Va. Historical Society). On the right side of the marker is a map of the area detailing the unit movements described in the text.
Regarding New River Bridge. Radford was known as Central Depot.
Also see . . . Geology and the Civil War: Union Raiders in the New River Valley. Student of the American Civil War website entry (Submitted on July 25, 2008, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia.)
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, July 16, 2008
3. The New River Railroad Bridge, 2008
Photographed by Linda Walcroft, July 16, 2008
4. Close-up of Area Map, New River Bridge
Photographed by Kevin W., February 14, 2021
5. Stone from Bridge Abutment
In downtown Christiansburg, across from the Post Office, this stone from the Virginia Tennessee Railroad celebrates the U.S. Bicentennial.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2008, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6,617 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 25, 2008, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 29, 2021, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
