Nice clear image of Long Bridge with a two masted ship and a dock in the foreground. Image captures most of the bridges expanse with the Virginia shore in the distance.

Image is mostly clean with only light surface dirt around the edges.

Reverse has an attached paper label that reads “BRADY’S ALBUM GALLERY NO. 100 / LONG BRIDGE” This is followed by copyright information bearing the date 1862.

An online history of the bridge reads in part:

With Virginia's May 23, 1861 secession from the Union, the Long Bridge became important.

“Alexandria was quickly occupied by the Union Army and the US Military RR and the bridge's north and south shores were well guarded by Federal troops, ever vigilant for spies, infiltrators, contraband and of course, invasion. Let us remember that the White House, President Lincoln, the Capitol and the entire Federal Legislature were less than three miles from water's edge.

Rails were now placed on the ancient, rickety bridge. It was quickly confirmed that the structure could not safely support the weight of locomotives and freight cars. Instead, lightly loaded railroad cars were transshipped across the mile-long structure, pulled by good old-fashioned horse power.

Not until 1863 was a new, stronger, parallel structure completed, one which could hold the weight of newer, heavier locomotives and freight cars.

The lack of an adequate crossing during the first years of the war was a motivation, at least in part, for the US Military RR headquarters to be located in Alexandria. Of course, the 'ready-made shops' of the Orange & Alexandria and other railroads in that city had something to do with their decision, too.

This new bridge was constructed about 100' down river and had two draw spans like its parallel predecessor. Both structures remained in use throughout the remainder of the Civil War.”  [ad]

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