Jacob's Ford on the Rapidan

[tedesky]

Hello All, it's been 160 years since the Mine Run campaign commenced, I thought to mark the anniversary I would post some photos of one of the more remote and interesting places associated with that campaign. Jacob's Ford on the Rapidan River was where the 3rd and 6th Corps, AoP, crossed with the goal of turning Lee's flank along the Rapidan Front. The details of the campaign are well known but some of the sites are very remote and almost impossible to access. Jacob's fits that description. I live in the area and had access to the place thru a friend so in December 2016 I took these photos. They were taken on the south bank of the river near where the federal pontoon bridge was constructed. There are no remains left from the war although the old wagon road running up the slope on the south side is still visible, it was the steep nature of that road that prevented the federal artillery from using Jacob's. Any questions please ask. Enjoy, because the land has changed hands and I no longer have access to the place. The first three photos show the river, the next two are of the wagon road running up the slope, the last two are of the bluff overlooking the river. Brett

 

[BCS1973]

Thank you for posting

 

[tedesky]

BTW, the gentleman shown in two of the photos is Brad Forbush, a good friend and scholar of the 13th Massachusetts Infantry. Besides lending scale to the photos, Brad has created a website dedicated to the 13th Mass which is incredible in its depth of knowledge. You can literally spend hours looking through it. Brett

13th Mass Website Home Page

Website Dedicated to the History of the 13th Mass. Volunteer Infantry, 1861 - 1864.

13thmass.org

 

[1SGDan]

These pictures add so much credence to the problems that were experienced at the start of the Mine Run Campaign.

 

[Drumfish420]

Very cool, thanks for sharing! I am in that area quite a bit, lots of history.

 

[Rebforever]

The 52nd Va. Infantry guarded Summerville Ford at that time. Lots of walkers in those trails I have noticed.
By the way, thanks for your pics.

(PS) I attended a meeting nearby the battlefield and in the discussion we were told as Meade discussed his attack with his Generals that night there was a large Ice Storm hit and he was talked out of the attack. Plus they had to cross the Rapadan River.

 

[Woods-walker]

Hello All, it's been 160 years since the Mine Run campaign commenced, I thought to mark the anniversary I would post some photos of one of the more remote and interesting places associated with that campaign. Jacob's Ford on the Rapidan River was where the 3rd and 6th Corps, AoP, crossed with the goal of turning Lee's flank along the Rapidan Front. The details of the campaign are well known but some of the sites are very remote and almost impossible to access. Jacob's fits that description. I live in the area and had access to the place thru a friend so in December 2016 I took these photos. They were taken on the south bank of the river near where the federal pontoon bridge was constructed. There are no remains left from the war although the old wagon road running up the slope on the south side is still visible, it was the steep nature of that road that prevented the federal artillery from using Jacob's. Any questions please ask. Enjoy, because the land has changed hands and I no longer have access to the place. The first three photos show the river, the next two are of the wagon road running up the slope, the last two are of the bluff overlooking the river. Brett

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Great post. I was there years ago on the north bank.

 

[Bruce Vail]

Nice! Thanks for posting.

 

[Flanative]

Hello All, it's been 160 years since the Mine Run campaign commenced, I thought to mark the anniversary I would post some photos of one of the more remote and interesting places associated with that campaign. Jacob's Ford on the Rapidan River was where the 3rd and 6th Corps, AoP, crossed with the goal of turning Lee's flank along the Rapidan Front. The details of the campaign are well known but some of the sites are very remote and almost impossible to access. Jacob's fits that description. I live in the area and had access to the place thru a friend so in December 2016 I took these photos. They were taken on the south bank of the river near where the federal pontoon bridge was constructed. There are no remains left from the war although the old wagon road running up the slope on the south side is still visible, it was the steep nature of that road that prevented the federal artillery from using Jacob's. Any questions please ask. Enjoy, because the land has changed hands and I no longer have access to the place. The first three photos show the river, the next two are of the wagon road running up the slope, the last two are of the bluff overlooking the river. Brett

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My great grandfather, Wade Hampton Rich from Boone NC was in Company F, North Carolina 26th Infantry Regiment and fought here...the interesting part is that in 1976 I was a Marine stationed in DC and belonged to a hunt club and spent a lot of time in the woods here long before I was into ancestry! I have long looked for references to relocate this place as I have an interest in panning for gold in the Rapidan river. What I remember is there was a smallish concrete bridge at the property and a good wide trail and an old abandoned frame of a house on the left and further down the trail a VERY large boulder on the right partially in the water on the left and leading to a large flat area...On the left of this area was a trail leading back into the woods a sign advising there was a gold mine and NO TRESPASSING! Keep in mind it has been 50 years since I was here..LOL.. Are you familiar with the area I'm describing? Thanks, Don Rich edited

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Hello All, it's been 160 years since the Mine Run campaign commenced, I thought to mark the anniversary I would post some photos of one of the more remote and interesting places associated with that campaign. Jacob's Ford on the Rapidan River was where the 3rd and 6th Corps, AoP, crossed with the goal of turning Lee's flank along the Rapidan Front. The details of the campaign are well known but some of the sites are very remote and almost impossible to access. Jacob's fits that description. I live in the area and had access to the place thru a friend so in December 2016 I took these photos. They were taken on the south bank of the river near where the federal pontoon bridge was constructed. There are no remains left from the war although the old wagon road running up the slope on the south side is still visible, it was the steep nature of that road that prevented the federal artillery from using Jacob's. Any questions please ask. Enjoy, because the land has changed hands and I no longer have access to the place. The first three photos show the river, the next two are of the wagon road running up the slope, the last two are of the bluff overlooking the river. Brett

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Thanks for posting these photos!