Bridgeport

Bridgeport

Jackson County, Bridgeport, Military Fortification, Civil War, Alabama Historical Commission Markers

Vital Memphis-Charleston railroad, "backbone of Confederacy," spanned Tennessee River here. Bridge burned several times, 1862-63. General Mitchell (U.S. Flag), occupying Huntsville after Battle of Shiloh, seized Bridgeport in April 1862 and held it until August. Federals recaptured town in July 1863 as Rosecrans (U.S. Flag) took Chattanooga (upriver). As end of usable railway from Nashville, town became key base of operations in U.S. victory at Chickamauga and lifting siege of Chattanooga.

(From the historical marker erected by the Alabama Historical Commission)

Blake Wilhelm

http://www.alabamahistory.net/jackson-historical-markers.html

Northeast Alabama Community College Archives and Special Collections

1861-1865