Benham's Wharf at Belle Plain-One month before the famous bridge across the James. “Belle Plain, Upper Wharf, erected by Engineer Corps, General Benham, Chief, May 15, 1864” - so reads the inscription made by the photographer on his negative. At the time Grant was in the midst of an unsuccessful attempt to circumvent Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia at Spotsylvania, One month later, Grant finally decided to cross the James. One hour before noon on June 15th, General Benham received orders to prepare a pontoon-bridge across the James River for the passage of the entire army.

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Size: 3688px × 5040px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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