Drawn by a 'special artist' assigned to General Buell's Division. Engraved for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, January 18, 1862 (XIII:321): 132-42 [sic, 133] as: 'The War in Kentucky--Great Iron Bridge over the Green River, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, Partially Destroyed by the Rebels to Obstruct the Advance of the National Army under Gen. Buell--Passage of the National Forces over a Temporary Bridge.' The accompanying article on the same page: 'The Iron Railroad Bridge Over Green River, Kentucky.' In October 1861, Confederate General Sidney Johnson ordered local forces to destroy the iron L&N railroad bridge outside Munfordville, Kentucky, to prevent a surprise attack on the Confederate position at Bowling Green and slow the Union advance across the Green River. The southern end of the bridge was destroyed, dropping the span into the river below. Rebuilding the bridge became a priority for both Grant and Buell, who intended to move south along the Tennessee River and needed the railroad to supply their troops. On December 6, 1861, northern stonemasons began working to repair the extensive damage. On January 9, 1862, the work was completed. On the following day, the Union began its advance into central Tennessee.
