April 21,1863. Over the new bridge by rail to Bristoe Station

Bridge built by soldiers.
Orange & Alexandria RR
(Matthew Bradey)
NationalArchives

“[On Wednesday, April 15, 1863] a severe and protracted rainstorm came on which so raised the streams and Bull Run in particular, as to carry off the bridge over that stream at [Union Mills]- only the iron rails and a few pieces being left - and the river was totally unfordable."~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters  April 19, 1863. VHS. 

The Photographic History of the Civil War: Forts and artillery
 By Robert Sampson Lanier

Mathew Brady
Military bridge, Haupt Truss, Bull Run, Va., April 1863
(US National Archives)

 On the 21st the Sixteenth regiment was sent out to guard the construction train which reopened the road; and was the first infantry to pass over the road after the close of Pope's campaign. ~ 2 George Grenville Benedict, Vermont in the Civil War 432 (Burlington Vt 1888)

"[W]e got orders to be ready to march in twenty minutes (before we had fairly finished breakfast), but were not required to go until 9 o'clock. Marched down to the Station and five companies were put upon the cars and the rest were obliged to foot it, our company not being among the lucky ones. 

"We marched to Manassas Junction (six miles), without halting, and then stopped for a couple of hours or so, and "struck our teeth against much hardtack", then started on, leaving Co. "B", and marched about nine miles further, when we met the train returning with those of our regiment who had gone on before. 

"They had been only two miles or so further than we went, and had repaired the bridge over the Broad Run just beyond Bristow Station that they expected to find demolished, but it was very good. They only had to lay a new track across it, and do some slight repairing to make it passable again. 

"We came back to the Junction, and camped for the night; meanwhile the pickets had been sent on after us, after they all had got a bit rested. We met them about eleven miles out from camp, took them on board with us and all rode back, though we were somewhat crowded." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of April 23, 1863

"Tuesday 21st. ... Gen Stannard came to-day. Col. Blunt had Regt' on Battalion drill this P.M." ~ Diary of Horace Barlow, 108, Pvt., Co. C, 12th Regiment