Pontoon Bridges; Unlikely Weapons

[JPK Huson 1863]

The Engineers, blue and gray have all my respect. It's unfortunate- seem to be few examples surviving of Lee's engineers' work, photos I mean. Who would not give around a bazillion dollars, for instance, to get a look a what the engineers feverishly threw together, backs to Meade, faces set toward home those hot, July days in 1863.

Not this bridge- guessing 1863's a less tidy an affair. According to reports any building within reasonable distance vanished, a swift recycle into boards over which Lee's army rolled and marched and trotted to bedraggled freedom from pursuit. Boats collected were wildly assorted too, end result being a kind of hike over the river- but the engineers got them there. Come hill or high water.

As a weapon foiling Meade's pursuit post invasion, 1863? A Gatling gun could not have achieved better results. Carrying civilians or supplies or armies in full battle mode, towards he sound of guns or in retreat perhaps the pontoon bridge could not always be termed ' weapon '; cumbersomely carted along in an army's wake, it was always an indispensable.

" By this time Confederate engineers had completed a new pontoon bridge over the Potomac, which had also subsided enough to be forded. Lee ordered a retreat to start after dark, with Longstreet's and Hill's corps and the artillery to use the pontoon bridge at Falling Waters and Ewell's corps to ford the river at Williamsport "
[=wikipedia]Retreat_from_Gettysburg

What a bare sentence! What a vitally important, massively difficult and time sensitive order coming from Lee himself- we must cross at all costs. Spare nothing. Just do it. You have to remember there was no time to split wood much less saw planks. Nearby houses were dismantled, any structure within reach dismantled and darn it; the Confederate Army got a bridge.

Linking armies to places of vital import, towards or away the enemy engineers could be said to have contributed an unlikely weapon to those bloody years. Plus I just like them, any excuse for yet another thread on pontoon bridges.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Supply train near Fredericksburg

Two above, James River to Windmill Point

Pontoon landing, Port Royal

Richmond, showing mills from Colonial times

North Anna, Jericho Mills

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

North Anna, very small on which crossed Hancock's Corp- it's in the background from where these soldiers are standing.

I think this is the same bridge at Berlin as in a previous photo

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

This might be the same bridge in another photo, where a section removes for traffic

Jame ssupply wagons

Deep Bottom

This is the James, still looks like the sectional bridge which moves

Pontoon Landing- looks like the one at City Point?

Same? These are LoC and some in my files have been there so long I've separated them from their labels.
Belle Plain also had a pontoon landing.

Favorite ever- North Anna

I think this is Varina again

Most of these are Library of Congress. National Archives seems to be mostly people now, could have sworn some came from Archives. Was looking around in there not long ago. Did not see as many landscape and camp photos as in the past.

 

[Brenal]

Fantastic collection of photos, thanks for posting them.

 

[drezac]

I find much of the technology of the time period ( and the logistics of implementing it) very interesting. Its something you don't see too much about. Like these bridges. Rather amazing technology, to quickly build those, and that they can take the stress of the moving water and heavy weight (supply wagons, artillery). I also find that the logistics of these types of things to be very interesting. The way all of that material had to be moved. its great to see one of the pontoons set for transportation ( noticed the large timbers under the pontoon so they can link it to the next pontoon.) Do you know if the decking boards were brought in or did they cut those on site ( or either or both depending on the circumstances)? all that went in to a bridge had to be a massive undertaking - transporting all the pontoons, horses to move them, supplying the horses and men with food, etc. I have done numbers on what it takes to support an artillery battery, and when you think about the logistics for many of the things done during the war, it's really hard to visualize what it took, especially considering that for the most part, horses would have been used for most or all of that. One book that I have used for research is "The Lincoln Memorial". It follows the funeral from the logistics of the planning in each city. It Its a very interesting perspective that you don't see too often. I find many of the original manuals such as the ordnance manual very good reading as you get to see more of the back-end of what is involved. Its also interesting that this same technology is still in use - different materials, but essentially the same.

 

[jackt62]

It's sometimes difficult for our contemporary generation that is used to computers, space travel, pharmaceutical drugs, etc. to comprehend that the CW era was indeed, a time of great advancement in engineering and industrial works. 1860 was for the people of that time, truly a "modern" era given the advent of steam power that brought forth railroads and steamships, and the development of telegraphy and ironworking.

 

[chellers]

The Lincoln Memorial

I would like to have a look at this book. Please tell me the author's name as there are several books with that title.
Thank you.

 

[Rebel_Giratina]

It's sometimes difficult for our contemporary generation that is used to computers, space travel, pharmaceutical drugs, etc. to comprehend that the CW era was indeed, a time of great advancement in engineering and industrial works. 1860 was for the people of that time, truly a "modern" era given the advent of steam power that brought forth railroads and steamships, and the development of telegraphy and ironworking.

Well, they don't call it "the first industrial war" - at least "the first major industrial war" for nothing.

 

[jackt62]

Very true.

 

[reading48]

Another Fine collection of photo's Annie, Tks for posting....

 

[Patrick H]

Very nice pictures, Annie. Some of those bridges were remarkable, indeed. I always marvel at the number of boats used in their construction and then my head spins when I think of what it took to move that many boats overland to the desired spot. Not only that, but thinking that it often needed to be done in a hurry. Amazing.

 

[Legion Para]

Combat Engineers don't always get the credit they deserve. Such as building a pontoon bridge under enemy fire at Fredericksburg.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

I find much of the technology of the time period ( and the logistics of implementing it) very interesting. Its something you don't see too much about. Like these bridges. Rather amazing technology, to quickly build those, and that they can take the stress of the moving water and heavy weight (supply wagons, artillery). I also find that the logistics of these types of things to be very interesting. The way all of that material had to be moved. its great to see one of the pontoons set for transportation ( noticed the large timbers under the pontoon so they can link it to the next pontoon.) Do you know if the decking boards were brought in or did they cut those on site ( or either or both depending on the circumstances)? all that went in to a bridge had to be a massive undertaking - transporting all the pontoons, horses to move them, supplying the horses and men with food, etc. I have done numbers on what it takes to support an artillery battery, and when you think about the logistics for many of the things done during the war, it's really hard to visualize what it took, especially considering that for the most part, horses would have been used for most or all of that. One book that I have used for research is "The Lincoln Memorial". It follows the funeral from the logistics of the planning in each city. It Its a very interesting perspective that you don't see too often. I find many of the original manuals such as the ordnance manual very good reading as you get to see more of the back-end of what is involved. Its also interesting that this same technology is still in use - different materials, but essentially the same.

Ah HA! This flattens me on a regular basis- the logistics of moving an entire army?? HOLY gee whiz. I know there are threads here discussing this because when spotted I'll ask annoying beginner questions. Humbling thought, what does anyone want to bet every private on up knew this stuff after around 3 months. The experts here know this stuff, too, the ridiculous amount of horses and wagons required for one battery, the fodder for those horses, tents for men, HQ, kitchen, food, ammunition- unbelievable. I'd had this image, infantry or cavalry in columns on dusty roads. They'd be a fraction. Maybe someone will take pity on this, come to our rescue.

You know, looking at a lot of these bridges wouldn't it be a safe bet the engineers had a source for throwing these across within reach? Had to? Armies on the move- generally leaving camp with orders, those hundreds of wagons, supplies, requirements, what's needed for where. The pontoons were carted all the way with them- you'd have to think why not load those already- cut boards in each pontoon instead of leaving the supply to chance and time. Remember Fredericksburg? Bridges thrown over under fire, horrific conditions. No way in heck could the engineers have also gone scrounging for materials.

Lee's bridge at Falling Waters was one of those singular events. His engineers dismantled houses and any structure they could get their hands on for that bridge-used every boat they could get their hands on, too in lieu of pontoons. Wish so much Sullivan was running after them, what a loss not to have a photograph of that bridge. Here's a question, did the Confederate army begin the invasion fully supplied, pontoons in tow? He was an engineer- speed v. practicality? If so did all those necessary wagons become burdensome with 17 miles of wounded in Imboden's train?

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

This is another favorite, pontoon bridge being put to happier use at Georgetown- forget which little island this is. One of those Victorian destinations conjured for delightful afternoons.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

From June, 1862 the military canal boat bridge laid down in Fredericksburg. Crazy interesting, right? Note the triangular guard shack?

 

[Ray Ball]

I find much of the technology of the time period ( and the logistics of implementing it) very interesting. Its something you don't see too much about. Like these bridges. Rather amazing technology, to quickly build those, and that they can take the stress of the moving water and heavy weight (supply wagons, artillery). I also find that the logistics of these types of things to be very interesting. The way all of that material had to be moved. its great to see one of the pontoons set for transportation ( noticed the large timbers under the pontoon so they can link it to the next pontoon.) Do you know if the decking boards were brought in or did they cut those on site ( or either or both depending on the circumstances)? all that went in to a bridge had to be a massive undertaking - transporting all the pontoons, horses to move them, supplying the horses and men with food, etc. I have done numbers on what it takes to support an artillery battery, and when you think about the logistics for many of the things done during the war, it's really hard to visualize what it took, especially considering that for the most part, horses would have been used for most or all of that. One book that I have used for research is "The Lincoln Memorial". It follows the funeral from the logistics of the planning in each city. It Its a very interesting perspective that you don't see too often. I find many of the original manuals such as the ordnance manual very good reading as you get to see more of the back-end of what is involved. Its also interesting that this same technology is still in use - different materials, but essentially the same.

drezac, the deck boards are called "chess" they are carried within the actual ponton while it is loaded on the wagon specifically designed for it. The heavy cross pieces are called balk. The whole thing is lashed together. The materials are premanufactured but replacements and repairs typically are made on site. No time to send for parts. The ponton wagon carries the ropes, chess, balk, anchors etc. A full train is 94 wagons. Some carry "birago" trestles too. Those are used for creating access to the bridge while it is in the water. Often the most difficult part of building the bridge is creating the two approaches. We build a couple of pontons for use at Fredericksburg in 2012. There are photos of them on our website if you'd like to learn a bit more. BTW there are two types of pontons, canvas and oak. Our friends in Co. B US Engineers are in the process of building canvas pontons now. The are on FB and are located in the WA/ OR area.

 

[Ray Ball]

Ah HA! This flattens me on a regular basis- the logistics of moving an entire army?? HOLY gee whiz. I know there are threads here discussing this because when spotted I'll ask annoying beginner questions. Humbling thought, what does anyone want to bet every private on up knew this stuff after around 3 months. The experts here know this stuff, too, the ridiculous amount of horses and wagons required for one battery, the fodder for those horses, tents for men, HQ, kitchen, food, ammunition- unbelievable. I'd had this image, infantry or cavalry in columns on dusty roads. They'd be a fraction. Maybe someone will take pity on this, come to our rescue.

You know, looking at a lot of these bridges wouldn't it be a safe bet the engineers had a source for throwing these across within reach? Had to? Armies on the move- generally leaving camp with orders, those hundreds of wagons, supplies, requirements, what's needed for where. The pontoons were carted all the way with them- you'd have to think why not load those already- cut boards in each pontoon instead of leaving the supply to chance and time. Remember Fredericksburg? Bridges thrown over under fire, horrific conditions. No way in heck could the engineers have also gone scrounging for materials.

Lee's bridge at Falling Waters was one of those singular events. His engineers dismantled houses and any structure they could get their hands on for that bridge-used every boat they could get their hands on, too in lieu of pontoons. Wish so much Sullivan was running after them, what a loss not to have a photograph of that bridge. Here's a question, did the Confederate army begin the invasion fully supplied, pontoons in tow? He was an engineer- speed v. practicality? If so did all those necessary wagons become burdensome with 17 miles of wounded in Imboden's train?

JPK,
Typically the Army on the move had a miles-long train behind it with all the provisions of war along for the ride. A bridging train was a part of that. Ponton bridges were a self contained unit of up to 94 wagons. I believe the AoP had two such trains, perhaps more. Sherman had depots set up so that his Engineers and civilians as well could be essentially prefabricating parts for trestle bridges for the Army to use on the move.

Its no error that most the best generals either served in the Engineers or were trained as such. Knowing the logistics of moving your army is key to its success. The Engineers are a key to the offense as well as fortifying on the defense. That's why they say Engineers Lead the Way!

 

[unionblue]

JPK,
Typically the Army on the move had a miles-long train behind it with all the provisions of war along for the ride. A bridging train was a part of that. Ponton bridges were a self contained unit of up to 94 wagons. I believe the AoP had two such trains, perhaps more. Sherman had depots set up so that his Engineers and civilians as well could be essentially prefabricating parts for trestle bridges for the Army to use on the move.

Its no error that most the best generals either served in the Engineers or were trained as such. Knowing the logistics of moving your army is key to its success. The Engineers are a key to the offense as well as fortifying on the defense. That's why they say Engineers Lead the Way!

Ray,

Any chance of you posting some reenactment photos using pontoon bridges?

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[drezac]

I would like to have a look at this book. Please tell me the author's name as there are several books with that title.
Thank you.

The book is Lincoln Memorial by Coggeshall

Its free in google books

https://books.google.com/books/reader?id=9f_s-CHjYn8C&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&pg=GBS.PP1