During the Civil War, Bridgeport, Alabama was a strategic town on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. Located in Northeast Alabama, Bridgeport was located on the Tennessee River. A strategic rail bridge crossed the river here and was a vital link in supplying the Confederate Army of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Thus the strategic bridge was essential to the campaigns of both armies, only for different reasons. More than one conflict was fought at and near Bridgeport. None could be called a battle due to the small number of troops involved. Thus, the primary conflict fought here was called "siege." It occurred in April 1862; and the following account is taken from T. M. Eddy's book, THE PATRIOTISM OF ILLINOIS (no Confederate account has been found). This reenactment of this battle has taken place for the past 16 years and is considered one of the best in the state of Alabama. Photo by Carol Highsmith, 2010.