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April 1865. "James River, Virginia. View of the completed Dutch Gap canal." From photos of the main Eastern theater of war, the Army of the James, June 1864- April 1865. Wet-plate glass negative, photographer unknown. View full size.
Here's a satellite view of the modern result:
Y'know, besides just enjoying the heck out of the Shorpy photos, I'm also learning so much about our great nation by checking in daily. Today I add the Dutch Gap to my gray cells!
The work of the Army of the James still stands today.
Right behind the group of men to the right is where the bulkhead was. This picture was probably taken moments after the bulkhead was blown up.
Union troops began digging the Dutch Gap Canal in 1864 to bypass a bend in the James River dominated by Confederate forts. The effort failed, but the canal was later completed and now is the main channel of the James River.
There's a great deal more information here.
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