Fredericksburg City Dock, Bridges and Biscuits
Posted by: garmin_geek
N 38° 17.797 W 077° 27.203
18S E 285454 N 4241573
Virginia Civil War Discovery Trail, Fredericksburg City Dock, Bridges and Biscuits.
Waymark Code: WM5W9J
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 02/19/2009
Views: 10
Why was Fredericksburg important to the Union war effort? The answer lies in logistics. The Union army, numbering more than 100,000 troops, required tons of food, clothing and other supplies to operate. Wagon trains could supply the army for short distances, but they were cumbersome and difficult to protect. Longer supply lines required either water or rail transportation. Fredericksburg, with its railroad and close proximity to the Potomac River, provided the Union Army with an ideal base for an “On to Richmond” drive.
Three bridges spanned the Rappahannock here in 1861: the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad bridge (which stood at the same location as the modern bridge ahead of you) and the two wagon bridges located farther upstream. Retreating Confederates destroyed these spans in April 1862, making it necessary for the Union army to cross the river on pontoon bridges the following December during the battle of Fredericksburg. The middle pontoon bridge stood here at the city dock.
Type of site: Battlefield
Address: 120 Sophia St. Fredericksburg, VA USA 22401
Admission Charged: No Charge
Website: [Web Link]
Phone Number: Not listed
Driving Directions: Not listed
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