Growing up in Fredericksburg, I've always been exposed to Civil War history and the importance that the Battles of Fredericksburg The Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Chancellorsville played. While not a die hard Civil War buff, I do thoroughly enjoy biking all of the battlefields in the surrounding counties and stopping to read (and reread) the historical markers which provide me bits of knowledge and reference.
While reading "The Great Bridge," The Epic Story of The Building of The Brooklyn Bridge, I was awed to learn that during the Fredericksburg Campaign, a suspension bridge had been built across the Rappahannock River! It was constructed by Washington Robeling, son of John Robeling, architect of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Washington Robeling served as designer, engineer, architect, and foreman for the thousand foot long span which was constructed in two weeks. The bridge, unfortunately did not last long (about a month), having been ordered destroyed by General Burnside, during a retreat back across the river.
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