02570 - Resting atop fortifications; Ft. Sedgwick before Petersburg, April 1865 (LC-DIG-cwpb-02570)
The opportunity to enjoy a few moments of rest was not lost to men of either side. Fort Sedgwick was one of the fortifications that surrounded Petersburg before the end of the war. You can see here how these series of trenches mirrored what was to come during the First World War, fifty years later. At this moment, when you are far enough from the fighting, it is enough to enjoy some relaxation before the action resumes.
The fortifications were constructed with gabions (wicker baskets) filled with dirt and rocks to create defenses that could protect from incoming shot. They were easy to create and repair. Gabions actually protected better than brick and mortar, which tended to collapse from shelling. The concept of using gabions for defense is still used by militaries today.
