Plate 5
Fortifications on the Heights of Centreville.
Plate 17
Military Bridge Across the Chickahominy.
Plate 32
Pontoon Bridge Across the Rappahannock.
Plate 35
Gettysburg.
Plate 83
Quarters of Men in Fort Sedgwick, generally known as "Fort Hell".

“Devastated by the Armies”: The Changed Landscape

Warfare had a dramatic impact on the landscape. Massive engineering projects displaced earth, removed timber for building material, and erected large structures, all of which altered familiar terrain. Fort Sedgwick (right) on the Petersburg, Virginia, front, was a notable example of defenses carved out of the earth; it was designed by Major Washington Roebling. Battles brought tent cities, while artillery destroyed trees and rocks. In short, war changed the topography—a reality seen especially well through the eye of Timothy O’Sullivan.

Plate 5. Fortifications on the Heights of Centreville
Plate 17. Military Bridge Across the Chickahominy
Plate 32. Pontoon Bridge Across the Rappahannock
Plate 35. Gettysburg
Plate 83. Quarters of Men in Fort Sedgwick, generally known as “Fort Hell.”



click to view full image
Quarters of Men in Fort Sedgwick, generally known as "Fort Hell." Near Petersburg, Virginia. May, 1865 Photographed by Timothy H. O'Sullivan

Cornell University

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections

Copyright © 2002 Division of Rare & Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853
Phone Number: (607) 255-3530. Fax Number: (607) 255-9524

For reference questions, send mail to: rareref@cornell.edu
If you have questions or comments about the site, send mail to: webmaster.