Rappahannock River

the Rappahannock River flows from the Blue Ridge to the Chesapeake Bay
the Rappahannock River flows from the Blue Ridge to the Chesapeake Bay
Source: US Geological Survey (USGS), Streamer

in 1651, John Farrer mapped the Rappahannock as Toppahanok River
in 1651, John Farrer mapped the Rappahannock as "Toppahanok River"
Source: Library of Congress, A mapp of Virginia discovered to ye hills (John Farrer/John Overton, 1667)

the headwaters of the Rapidan tributary of the Rappahannock River (red circle) defined the southern boundary of the Fairfax Grant
the headwaters of the Rapidan tributary of the Rappahannock River (red circle) defined the southern boundary of the Fairfax Grant
Source: Library of Congress, A map of the most inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole province of Maryland with part of Pensilvania, New Jersey and North Carolina (by Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson, 1755)

the Rapidan River is the largest tributary of the Rappahannock River
the Rapidan River is the largest tributary of the Rappahannock River
Source: Library of Congress, Position of Union and Rebel armies at Fredericksburg, Decr. 1st 1862

the Rapidan flows from its headwaters in the Blue Ridge (including the Rose and Conway rivers) eastward to its confluence with the Rappahannock River
the Appomattox River flows east to its confluence with the James River
Source: US Geological Survey (USGS), Streamer

Route 3 bridge across the Rappahannock River between Lancaster and Middlesex counties
Route 3 bridge across the Rappahannock River between Lancaster and Middlesex counties
Source: Virginia Department of Transportation, Robert O. Norris Bridge

Carters Wharf, just downstream from the boundary of Westmoreland and Richmond counties
Carters Wharf, just downstream from the boundary of Westmoreland and Richmond counties

Conserving Fones Cliffs

Early Settlement Up the... Rappahannock?

Embrey Dam

Rivers of Virginia

Potomac, Shenandoah, and Rappahannock watersheds
Potomac, Shenandoah, and Rappahannock watersheds
Source: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center

soldiers marched back and forth across the Rappahannock River during the Civil War
soldiers marched back and forth across the Rappahannock River during the Civil War
Source: Library of Congress, Banks Ford and Scotts Damn [sic] on the Rappahannock (by Alfred R. Waud, 1863)

the Union Army built pontoon bridges to cross the Rappahannock River in December 1862
the Union Army built pontoon bridges to cross the Rappahannock River in December 1862
Source: Library of Congress, Building pontoon bridges at Fredericksburg Dec. 11th (by Alfred R. Waud, 1862)

in 1608 John Smith marked with Maltese crosses where he explored to the Fall Line, but still learned from Native Americans there about the river's sources in the Blue Ridge
in 1608 John Smith marked with Maltese crosses where he explored to the Fall Line, but still learned from Native Americans there about the river's sources in the Blue Ridge
Source: Library of Congress, Virginia (by John Smith, 1624)

Links

Union troops crossing the Rappahannock River on pontoon bridges to seize Fredericksburg, December 1862
Union troops crossing the Rappahannock River on pontoon bridges to seize Fredericksburg, December 1862
Source: Frank Leslie's illustrated history of the Civil War (p.271)

the Union Army used pontoon bridges at Fredericksburg to cross the Rappahannock River in 1862
the Union Army used pontoon bridges at Fredericksburg to cross the Rappahannock River in 1862
Source: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War, Burnside's Campaign - Fredericksburg (p.415)

the pontoon bridges at Fredericksburg were constructed despite rifle fire from Confederate soldiers on the southern bank
the pontoon bridges at Fredericksburg were constructed despite rifle fire from Confederate soldiers on the southern bank
Source: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War, Burnside's Campaign - Fredericksburg (p.410)

the Union Army also crossed the river at fords upstream of Fredericksburg
the Union Army also crossed the river at fords upstream of Fredericksburg
Source: Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War, Burnside's Campaign - Fredericksburg (p.418)

Downing Bridge crossing between Tappahannock and Richmond County, soon after construction in 1927
Downing Bridge crossing between Tappahannock and Richmond County, soon after construction in 1927
Downing Bridge crossing between Tappahannock and Richmond County, soon after construction in 1927
Source: National Archives, Virginia - Tappahannock and Virginia - Tappahannock


Rivers and Watersheds of Virginia
Virginia Places