The Foot Bridge

A crude wooden foot bridge crossed the cut about 90 feet above the railroad tracks, built by felling two pine trees across the gap, planking over them, and adding a handrail. During the battle, Private Edwin R. Fullington of the 12th Wisconsin Artillery crossed this bridge three times carrying grapeshot and canister to replenish the Federal ammunition supply in the Star Fort. Grapeshot was made of layered iron balls held together by iron plates and a threaded bolt at the center, usually with nine larger balls in a stand, while canister consisted of a thin metal container filled with layers of iron or lead balls packed in sawdust to preserve symmetry during transport and effectiveness when fired. Effective only up to 400 yards, canister was especially deadly against men and horses because it spread destruction widely, could be fired more rapidly than solid shot, and required no careful aiming. By 1863, a canister round for a 12 lb. Napoleon held 27 to 72 iron balls.

Georgia · United States