Pontoon Bridge, James River 1864

Andrew Joseph Russell captured this view of the James River with a camera, showing a pontoon bridge, a symbol of ingenuity and transition. The bridge here, a series of floating supports creating a path over water, evokes the ancient motif of crossing—a journey, a passage from one state to another, fraught with both danger and hope. The image is bisected with the symbol of the bridge connecting two shores, this motif recalls the Roman bridges as symbols of imperial power and connectivity. Consider the psychological weight of such a structure during wartime. The bridge becomes a tangible expression of hope amidst conflict, a pathway to reunion, and a symbol of overcoming the divides that war creates. This bridge invites us to reflect on how humankind continuously seeks to connect, even when historical currents run strong.