Rappahannock Collection

Battle of Fredericksburg--the Army o. t. Potomac crossing the
Battle of Fredericksburg--the Army o.t. Potomac crossing the Rappahannock in the morning of Dec. 13 1862, under t. comd. of Gens Burnside, Sumner, Hooker & Franklin. Date c1888

Fredericksburg, Virginia, February 1863. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Fredericksburg, Virginia, February 1863. Ruined bridge over the Rappahannock. Albumen print, pl. 30 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, Volume I" (1866)

Pontoon Bridge Across the Rappahannock, May 1863. Creator: Alexander Gardner
Pontoon Bridge Across the Rappahannock, May 1863. Albumen print, pl. 32 from the album " Gardners Photographic Sketch Book of the War, Volume I" (1866)

Battle of Fredericksburg, pub. Kurz & Allison, 1888 (colour litho)
2646315 Battle of Fredericksburg, pub. Kurz & Allison, 1888 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Battle of Fredericksburg, 11 - 15th December 1862)

The advance of Sedgwicks corps crossing the Rappahannock, April 1863 (engraving)
959308 The advance of Sedgwicks corps crossing the Rappahannock, April 1863 (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Confederacy screw steamer Rappahannock lying at Calais Pier (coloured engraving)
728615 The Confederacy screw steamer Rappahannock lying at Calais Pier (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Civil War in America (engraving)
1588444 The Civil War in America (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Civil War in America)

Battle of Fredericksburg, pub. Kurz & Allen, 1888 (colour litho)
2655373 Battle of Fredericksburg, pub. Kurz & Allen, 1888 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: 13th December 1862; General Ambrose E)

Franklins Grand Division crossing the Rappahannock, December 1862 (engraving)
959214 Franklins Grand Division crossing the Rappahannock, December 1862 (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Civil War in America, Unsuccessful Attempt of the Army of the Potomac to cross the Rappahannock on the 20 January
1588190 The Civil War in America, Unsuccessful Attempt of the Army of the Potomac to cross the Rappahannock on the 20 January Last (engraving) by English School

The Civil War in America, General Longstreets Corps (Confederates) crossing the Blue Ridge from the Shenandoah to
1588078 The Civil War in America, General Longstreets Corps (Confederates) crossing the Blue Ridge from the Shenandoah to the Rappahannock, Virginia (engraving) by English School

Sumners Grand Division crossing the Rappahannock, December 1862 (engraving)
959213 Sumners Grand Division crossing the Rappahannock, December 1862 (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Franklins division recrossing the Rappahannock, December 1862 (engraving)
959216 Franklins division recrossing the Rappahannock, December 1862 (engraving) by American School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Wagon Train at Port Royal, Rappahannock River, 1861-65. Creator: Andrew Joseph Russell
Wagon Train at Port Royal, Rappahannock River, 1861-65. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1863. Creator: Andrew Joseph Russell
Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1863. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

Port Royal, Rappahannock River, 1861-65. Creator: Andrew Joseph Russell
Port Royal, Rappahannock River, 1861-65. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

Unloading Supplies at Port Royal, Virginia, 1861-65. Creator: Andrew Joseph Russell
Unloading Supplies at Port Royal, Virginia, 1861-65. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

Blackburns Ford / Rapidan River, The Wilderness, 1861-65. Creator: Tim O Sullivan
Blackburns Ford / Rapidan River, The Wilderness, 1861-65. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

End of the Bridge after Burnsides Attack, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1863. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

Bull Run, 1861-62. Creators: Andrew Joseph Russell, George N. Barnard, Tim O Sullivan
Bull Run, 1861-62. Formerly attributed to Mathew B. Brady

Capture of the fortifications on the Rappahannock at the Railway Bridge, by the right wing commanded by Genl. Sedgwick, drawing, 1862-1865, by Alfred R Waud, 1828-1891

Russells Brigade, 1st div. 6th Army Corps, crossing in Pontoons to storm the enemies rifle pits on the Rappahannock, drawing, 1862-1865, by Alfred R Waud, 1828-1891

Effects of shells upon the enemies rifle pits at the crossing over the Rappahannock, June 5th, 1863 June 5, drawing on tan paper pencil, ink wash, and Chinese white, 23.8 x 35.0 cm

Shelling the rebel rifle pits on the Rappahannock, previous to the third crossing of Sedgwicks corps June 5th, 1863 June 5, drawing on brown paper pencil and Chinese white, 22.6 x 34.6 cm

Straggling soldiers crossing the Rappahannock above the burnt bridge, 1863 October, drawing on tan paper pencil and Chinese white, 15.4 x 25.7 cm

Taylors Dam on the Rappahannock, between 1860 and 1865, drawing on tan paper pencil and Chinese white, 15.7 x 24.3 cm. (sheet), 1862-1865, by Alfred R Waud, 1828-1891

Bridges and rifle pits at U. S. Ford, in the Rappahannock from rebel shore, 1863 between
Bridges and rifle pits at U.S. Ford, in the Rappahannock from rebel shore, 1863 between April and May?, drawing on olive paper pencil and Chinese white, 15.3 x 24.0 cm

CIVIL WAR: CROSSING, 1862. Federal Battery crossing a shallow area of the Rappahannock River on the day of battle in Cedar Mountain, Virginia. Photograph by Timothy O Sullivan, August 1862

CIVIL WAR: BRIDGE, 1862. South view of a bridge on the Rappahannock River, Virginia. Photograph by Timothy O Sullivan, August 1862

CIVIL WAR: BRIDGE BUILDING. Troops constructing a bridge across the North fork of the Rappahannock River in Fauquier Sulphur Springs, Virginia. Photograph by Timothy H. O Sullivan, August 1862

CIVIL WAR : ENCAMPMENT. Union encampment near railroad during 2nd Battle of Bull Run, Rappahannock Station, VA. Photograph by Timothy H. O Sullivan, 1862

CIVIL WAR: PONTOON BOAT. Canvas pontoon boat of the 50th New York Engineers. Photographed by Timothy O Sullivan at Rappahannock Station, Virginia, March 1864

FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA. View of Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock River in Virginia. Wood engraving, American, 1856

Crossing the Rappahannock. Print shows Union infantry crossing the Rappahannock River in pontoon boats and firing at and being fired at by Confederate sharpshooters in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Union soldiers entrenched along the west bank of the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Date photographed between April 29 and May 2, 1863, printed later

Confederate defense of Fredericksburg, US Civil War
Mississippians opposing the Union Armys advance into Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1862. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Union siege of Fredericksburg, Civil War
Bombardment of Fredericksburg, Virginia, by Burnsides artillery, December 11, 1862. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Crossing the Shenandoah, US Civil War
The Civil War in America : General Longstreets corps (Confederates) crossing the Blue Ridge from the Shenandoah to the Rappahannock, Virginia

The Civil War in America. Army of the Potomac crossing the
Unsuccessful attempt of the Army of the Potomac to cross the Rappahannock on the 20th January 1863. The Unionists are seen here crossing the Rappahannock river with difficulty in blizzard conditions

The Civil war in America. Positions of the Federal and Confe
Positions of the Federal and Confederate pickets on the Rappahannock, at Fredericksburg, December 4th 1862. Later in December, Fredericksburg was the scene of a costly Union defeat at Maryes Heights

Fredericksburg Bombarded
Federal troops, under the popular but incompetent general Burnside, bombard Fredericksbug, Virginia, across the Rappahannock river, but Lee will win the battle

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The Rappahannock River holds a significant place in American history, particularly during the Civil War. It witnessed numerous pivotal moments that shaped the course of this bloody conflict. One such event was the Battle of Fredericksburg, where the Army of the Potomac crossed this mighty river in February 1863. Captured through the lens of Alexander Gardner's camera, we catch a glimpse of Pontoon Bridge Across the Rappahannock in May 1863. This remarkable photograph showcases the engineering marvels employed to facilitate troop movements and supply lines during wartime. Kurz & Allison's vividly colored lithograph from 1888 transports us back to that fateful battle at Fredericksburg. The image depicts soldiers engaged in fierce combat on both sides of this strategic river, highlighting its crucial role as a natural barrier between opposing forces. Engravings further illustrate historical moments surrounding this waterway. Sedgwick's corps boldly advances across the Rappahannock in April 1863, while Franklin's Grand Division braves its currents in December 1862. These brave crossings symbolize determination and sacrifice as Union troops sought victory against Confederate resistance. Not limited to military events alone, even naval encounters occurred along these waters. The Confederacy screw steamer Rappahannock is seen lying at Calais Pier—a testament to how far-reaching this river's name became during those turbulent times. From unsuccessful attempts by General Longstreet's Corps to cross from Shenandoah to Rappahannock via Blue Ridge Mountains or Sumner’s Grand Division crossing it amidst winter hardships—the significance of this river cannot be understated. The Rappahannock River stands as an enduring symbol—an emblematic witness—of America’s struggle for unity and freedom during one of its darkest periods. Its waters flowed with bloodshed but also served as a lifeline connecting divided lands—a reminder that even amidst chaos, bridges can be built and divisions mended.