James River, Va. Pontoon Bridge (U.S. Civil War) White Coffee Mug

The James River, Va. Pontoon Bridge refers to a temporary structure built during the American Civil War to facilitate military movements across the James River, specifically at Westover, Virginia. Constructed by Union forces in 1864, this bridge was vital for the transport of troops and supplies during Ulysses S. Grant's Overland Campaign. The bridge was made from wooden pontoons supported by anchored boats, making it a floating roadway across the river. Its strategic importance, along with other engineering feats in the area, played a significant role in the final stages of the Civil War.