The Photographic History of The Civil War: in ten volumes, Thousands of Scenes Photographed 1861-65, with Text by many Special Authorities, Volume 2: Two Years of Grim War.
Francis Trevelyan Miller, Ed.

Where the pontoons ran short

The Railroad Bridge over the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, Alabama, August, 1863. In the movement against Chattanooga, Rosecrans chose the Tennessee River for his line. Feinting strongly with Crittenden's command to the north of Bragg's position, he crossed the main body of his army to the south. There was much impatience in Washington that the movement was not more promptly executed, but serious difficulties delayed it. It took three weeks to repair the railroad, and on August 25th the first supply-train was pushed through Stevenson, Alabama, where the new commissary base was established. Meanwhile the Tennessee, greatly swollen by recent rains, presented a formidable barrier. There were not enough pontoons, and at Bridgeport Sheridan had to piece out the bridge with trestle-work.

The Railroad Bridge over the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, Alabama, August, 1863.

Destroyed Bridge over the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, Alabama.