Snapshots of the Past

Unfinished dam on the enemies line – Vintage Wall Art

Unfinished dam on the enemies line, [between 1860 and 1865] — historic drawing
Unfinished dam on the enemies line, [between 1860 and 1865]. Historic drawing from the Civil War collection.

(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)

Description

This historic drawing of Unfinished dam on the enemies line brings a moment of history to your wall. Sourced directly from the Library of Congress, it represents an authentic piece of documented history.

Order it framed and ready to hang, or unframed to match a frame you already love. Perfect for a home, office, library or classroom wall, and a gift with a story behind it. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Snapshots of the Past, founded in 2001, has served tens of thousands of customers worldwide.

Unfinished dam on the enemies line

Order a print

Secure checkout · SSL encryptedPowered by Stripe and PayPal

Free shipping in the lower 48 states. The checkout page shows the picture, size and price before you pay.

Sign up for our newsletter

Sent securely. No purchase needed. Unsubscribe anytime.

Ask about licensing or this print

Drawn in pencil and Chinese white, this sheet shows a dam left unfinished across a stream, an engineering effort meant to flood the low ground between the two armies. The inscription on the reverse explains the aim: the water would have made a good portion of the Confederate works unapproachable. The stream lies south of a strong fort labeled Battery 45. Armies in the Civil War often turned to water barriers and earthworks during siege operations, when fixed lines of trenches made frontal assaults costly. The sheet is signed A.R.W. and was a gift of J.P. Morgan in 1919.

Created / published[between 1860 and 1865]
Medium1 drawing on olive paper : pencil and Chinese white ; 10.5 x 16.7 cm. (sheet).
GenreDrawings American 1860-1870.
NotesSigned lower right: A.R.W. Title inscribed lower left. Inscribed upper left: Battery 45 Rebel. Inscribed on verso: [T]he object of this dam was to flood country in our possession and between the lines, which would have rendered a good portion of their works unapproachable. The stream is south of a very fine fort called battery 45-. Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.2.319) Forms part of: Civil War drawing collection.
SubjectsForts & fortifications--1860-1870. Dams--1860-1870. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military facilities.
SourceLibrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Original scan1,470 × 1,177 px · prints to 5 × 4 in at 300 dpi
ReferenceAMZ-SOTP-HPA-218306

More from the Civil War collection

Snapshots of the Past helps heritage brands, museums, historians and storytellers tell stories with history: historic prints, image licensing and historical storytelling drawn from more than 25 years of research and curation.

Related pictures

Camp of 5th V[ermon]t. Reg. Volunteers Camp Griffin, Va.Camp of 5th V[ermon]t. Reg. Volunteers Camp Griffin, Va.Reading the news--off duty / EF.Reading the news--off duty / EF.The first flag of independence raised in the South, by the citizens of Savannah, Ga. November 8th, 1860 / drawn by Henry Cleenewerck, Savannah, Ga. ; lithographed by R.H. Howell, Savannah, Ga.The first flag of independence raised in the South, by the citizens of Savannah,Officers and soldiers on the battlefield of the second Bull Run, recognizing the remains of their comradesOfficers and soldiers on the battlefield of the second Bull Run, recognizing theBugle call / painted by Wm. M. Hunt ; lith by D.C. Fabronius.Bugle call / painted by Wm. M. Hunt ; lith by D.C. Fabronius.Sketch map of the battle of Gettysburg, made while on the march toward Frederick, Md. / E. Forbes.Sketch map of the battle of Gettysburg, made while on the march toward Frederick