June
28 marks the anniversary of an historically significant occasion for
Columbia and Wrightsville, the burning of the bridge across the
Susquehanna River to halt the easterly advance of Confederate forces.
 No special activities are held to
commemorate that event of June 28, 1863, but it remains in the minds of
many residents--especially those bent on preserving the history of both
communities in the Susquehanna Valley.
The 1963 Columbia Civil War Centennial
publication tells how Confederate forces under the command of General
Gordon, after occupying York, were dispatched to Wrightsville with the
purpose of securing the bridge across the Susquehanna River.
Gordon's forces included infantry,
cavalry and artillery who were sighted about 5 o'clock in the afternoon of
June 28 [1863] "moving up the turnpike" towards Wrightsville.
Gordon's only opposition included a
hurriedly assembled, ill equipped and inadequately trained group of
militia and volunteers who were quickly outflanked by Gordon's more
experienced soldiers.
The Union soldiers and volunteers
retreated to the bridge under orders from General Couch "not to allow
the enemy to cross the Susquehanna River" and explosives were used in
an unsuccessful attempt to destroy the span.
The frame span was then set afire and
the link between Lancaster and York counties was blocked by a wall of
flame while brisk northwesterly winds carried sparks and burning embers in
the direction of Wrightsville.
Wrightsville did not fare too well and
the flames destroyed residences, a planing mill and a lumber yard.
Fortunately, Gen. Gordon's forces formed
bucket brigades and prevented the flames from spreading throughout the
community before returning to Gettysburg where the most decisive battle of
the Civil War was fought.
Today all that remains are the stone
piers which held to more bridges before the last--a railroad span--was
dismantled. |
