Pontoon Bridge Train, James River 1864

Andrew Joseph Russell captured this photographic image of a pontoon bridge train on the James River during a moment of conflict and transformation. Here, we see a series of wagons, likely carrying essential equipment and supplies, set against a backdrop of tents suggesting a temporary encampment. The wheel, prominently featured, is not just a mechanical device; it's an ancient symbol of fortune, movement, and cycles of life and death. Consider its echo in the "Rota Fortunae," the wheel of fortune from medieval art, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of fate and the human condition. The repetition of the wheel in Russell's image underscores its relentless turning—much like the ceaseless nature of conflict and the endless march of progress. The photograph powerfully engages our collective memory, evoking a deep, subconscious understanding of the cyclical nature of history and human endeavors. Like a snake eating its tail, the "Ouroboros" of antiquity.