High Bridge, VA

[Pollaco]

Then let's just leave it at that, okay? This had been a good thread though.

 

[JTkentucky12th]

View attachment 503862

I couldn't let today go by without some mention of High Bridge and I couldn't find a thread specifically about it.

While the Battle of Sailor's Creek was happening on the afternoon of April 6, 1865, the Battle of High Bridge was happening nearby on April 6 and 7, 1865. The April 6 action occurred in the morning and was a successful attempt to hold the bridge open to allow part of Lee's army to cross the bridge over the Appomattox River retreating westward from Richmond and Petersburg. The April 7 action was an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the railroad bridge and lower wagon bridge to keep pursuing Union troops from crossing them and the Appomattox River.

The picture above was taken in June 2022 from the modern bridge which is a popular hiking and biking trail. It is a state park now. The old bridge is long gone but there are sections of the original pilings remaining down below.

High Bridge

The American Battlefield Trust's Battle of High Bridge page contains maps, articles, and photos relating to this important 1865 battle in Virginia.

www.battlefields.org

Never heard of this battle. Been very interesting reading about it! Thanks for sharing.

 

[bdtex]

Then let's just leave it at that, okay? This had been a good thread though.

The research is fun. It's worth looking into. He was the last Confederate General to die of wounds received in action.

 

[Pollaco]

I think the reasonable answer to that question is we don't know as nobody has found documentary evidence of it
Heck we can't agree which side shot him

Or what sort of wound. Prof Robertson utters the words "the head wound was serious" in one of the links.

 

[Bentonville]

View attachment 503862

I couldn't let today go by without some mention of High Bridge and I couldn't find a thread specifically about it.

While the Battle of Sailor's Creek was happening on the afternoon of April 6, 1865, the Battle of High Bridge was happening nearby on April 6 and 7, 1865. The April 6 action occurred in the morning and was a successful attempt to hold the bridge open to allow part of Lee's army to cross the bridge over the Appomattox River retreating westward from Richmond and Petersburg. The April 7 action was an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the railroad bridge and lower wagon bridge to keep pursuing Union troops from crossing them and the Appomattox River.

The picture above was taken in June 2022 from the modern bridge which is a popular hiking and biking trail. It is a state park now. The old bridge is long gone but there are sections of the original pilings remaining down below.

High Bridge

The American Battlefield Trust's Battle of High Bridge page contains maps, articles, and photos relating to this important 1865 battle in Virginia.

www.battlefields.org

I have vertigo. I'd have to be in mortal terror to get across that bridge. Shooting might help.

 

[Pollaco]

I have vertigo. I'd have to be in mortal terror to get across that bridge. Shooting might help.

I can see why it is called "High Bridge", but does it have an official name?

 

[Bentonville]

I can see why it is called "High Bridge", but does it have an official name?

I.never thought of it. Figured it was High Bridge. You just blew my mind.

 

[Jamieva]

I can see why it is called "High Bridge", but does it have an official name?

I doubt it since it was a railroad bridge.

 

[Elliot Crumblemuffin]

Visiting this bridge is on my "short list" for sure. I really find the whole period between April 2 to 9 interesting, and visiting this location would really put it into perspective for me. I've really enjoyed this thread, thanks everyone .

 

[bdtex]

Visiting this bridge is on my "short list" for sure. I really find the whole period between April 2 to 9 interesting, and visiting this location would really put it into perspective for me. I've really enjoyed this thread, thanks everyone .

It's a gem of a site to me. It was on my visit list for some time. I didn't know how much of a gem it was/is until I went there.

 

[Elliot Crumblemuffin]

It's a gem of a site to me. It was on my visit list for some time. I didn't know how much of a gem it was/is until I went there.

I do get that feeling! There is something to be said of the desperation and excitement (on both sides of the conflict) during the whole movement away from Richmond that ended at Appomattox.