This bridge of 1864 over the
Tennessee, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad at
Bridgeport, Alabama, was the fourth in succession.
Three previous bridges had been destroyed by the
Confederates.
But the United States Military Railroad Construction Corps, then under the command of
Colonel D. C. McCallum, seemed like the mythical giant
Antaeus to rise twice as strong after each upset.
So it was only for a short time that supplies were kept out of
Chattanooga.
So confident did
Sherman become during his great
Atlanta campaign of their ability to accomplish wonders, that he frequently based his plans upon the rapidity of their railroad work.
They never failed him.
Colonel W. W. Wright directed the transportation, and
General Adna Anderson directed repairs to the road, including the reconstruction of the bridges, but this latter work was under the immediate direction of
Colonel E. C. Smeed.
How well it was done is evidenced by these two photographs.
In the lower one the broad wagon-way below the railroad trestles can be examined.
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The structure that stayed-three times had the Confederates destroyed the bridge at this point-bridgeport, Alabama |
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The structure that stayed-three times had the Confederates destroyed the bridge at this point-bridgeport, Alabama |
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