Berlin (now Brunswick), Md

[tmh10]

[Berlin (now Brunswick), Md. Pontoon bridge and ruins of the stone bridge; another view].
Gardner, Alexander, 1821-1882, photographer.
CREATED/PUBLISHED
1862 October.
SUMMARY
Photograph from the main eastern theater of the war, Battle of Antietam, September-October 1862.
NOTES
Reference: Civil War photographs, 1861-1865 / compiled by Hirst D. Milhollen and Donald H. Mugridge, Washington, D.C. : Library of Congress, 1977. No. 0152
Title from Milhollen and Mugridge.
Corresponding print is in LOT 4176.
Forms part of Civil War glass negative collection (Library of Congress).

 

[1SGDan]

Looking at the date on this picture reminds me that the pontoon bridge that was used to replace the damage bridge in the photo was at the center of the Fredericksburg disaster. The 1100 foot pontoon bridge at Berlin was ordered by McClellan to Washington on November 6th. Fearing spies and wire tapping the order was sent from Washington to Berlin on a slow moving packet up the river. It did not arrive until November 12th. The bridge was then disassembled and got to Washington in just two days. However Mac was ousted in the interim and the order was assumed to be no longer valid and the bridge was put into storage. When everything was sorted out the bridge material was finally sent to Burnside at Falmouth but it was too late. Lee had already reacted to Burnside's stolen march. The case of the missing bridges led to a complete disaster.

 

[tmh10]

I wonder if the big house at the end of the bridge was a hotel or store of some kind.

 

[jessgettysburg1863]

Nice picture Ted, in someways it looks like a painting more than a photo, must be my eyes.

 

[tmh10]

Nice picture Ted, in someways it looks like a painting more than a photo, must be my eyes.

I think you are right. That is why Im drawn to it. It is a scene that I would take a picture of if I was there in that place in time, I think.

 

[jessgettysburg1863]

I think you are right. That is why Im drawn to it. It is a scene that I would take a picture of if I was there in that place in time, I think.

Well said mate, one of your best.

 

[tmh10]

Well said mate, one of your best.

I like the pictures by Gardner. He had a better eye for a picture than Brady as far as framing the shot in my opinion.

 

[jessgettysburg1863]

I like the pictures by Gardner. He had a better eye for a picture than Brady as far as framing the shot in my opinion.

Fair call mate, l would be happy with this picture hanging on my wall.

 

[private24thvacav]

Its a wonderful composition, Gardner was a great photographer.