Bridge Burning Commemoration - June 28 and 29, 2013
Friday evening began uneventfully, but with a sense of anticipation. This night would mark the 150th anniversary of the burning of the Civil War era bridge by militiamen from Columbia. The town has always been justifiably proud of this event which changed the course of the Civil War.
Godshall's Custom Machining set up a display of locomotives at the former train station on Front Street.
Several Fish and Boat Commission officers were in attendance to coordinate boat traffic during the lighting of the braziers atop the old bridge piers
A little after 7 o'clock, people were filing onto the bridge. A crowd began to gather at the Columbia River Park, also.
Several reenactors watched from the park.
After paying the two dollar per person admission fee, we waited with our cameras on the bridge, directly above the shore line, hoping to get shots of the anticipated line of fires across the river, which would soon be visible. Crowds of people continued arriving as the evening progressed. Although the lighting of the braziers was scheduled to begin at 9:30, we didn't detect flames from the Wrightsville side until after 10 o'clock. We overheard comments from fire police and others that the wood was wet and difficult to light. We waited patiently as each brazier was lit, and the fires could be seen gradually making their way towards us. In the meantime, many attendees, frustrated by the delays, began leaving the bridge in droves. At 11 p.m., the fires were a little over two-thirds of the way across, when a Columbia policeman told us it was time to leave the bridge. I was disappointed by this edict, not so much because I paid a fee for an event I was now being prevented from seeing, but because I was not allowed to stay and get my shots. I was certain the fires would make it to the Columbia side by 11:30.
After paying the two dollar per person admission fee, we waited with our cameras on the bridge, directly above the shore line, hoping to get shots of the anticipated line of fires across the river, which would soon be visible. Crowds of people continued arriving as the evening progressed. Although the lighting of the braziers was scheduled to begin at 9:30, we didn't detect flames from the Wrightsville side until after 10 o'clock. We overheard comments from fire police and others that the wood was wet and difficult to light. We waited patiently as each brazier was lit, and the fires could be seen gradually making their way towards us. In the meantime, many attendees, frustrated by the delays, began leaving the bridge in droves. At 11 p.m., the fires were a little over two-thirds of the way across, when a Columbia policeman told us it was time to leave the bridge. I was disappointed by this edict, not so much because I paid a fee for an event I was now being prevented from seeing, but because I was not allowed to stay and get my shots. I was certain the fires would make it to the Columbia side by 11:30.
Besides, the signs on the Wrightsville side clearly stated that the bridge would be closed until 12 a.m. I understood it would take time to clear pedestrians from the bridge before allowing vehicle traffic to resume, but half an hour should have been sufficient to do the job, especially since a great number of attendees had already left.
I was right - the last brazier was lit at 11:30 p.m. (by Jim Cox of Chiques Rock Outfitters).
I managed a few unsatisfactory hand-held shots from River Park.
Unfortunately, the night ended on a downer.
Saturday, June 29.
Despite the previous night's disappointments, we attended the encampment next to River Park the next day.
A blacksmith fashioned metal implements.
A fifer "fifed."
Reenactors happily answered questions.
Some took cover from the sun.
Here, too.
Others demonstrated period firearms.
Or adjusted their canvas tents.
Many musicians were present . . .
Onlookers enjoyed the presentation.
Others lectured on history.
Many interested folks attended.
This was a demonstration of how lead is melted and formed into bullets.
Weapons of war
As well as here
and here.
A hand-cranked music box that plays small rolls similar to piano rolls. (They can be seen on the table.)
The 87th Pennsylvania Company C demonstrated loading and firing procedures and techniques (as seen below).
President Lincoln posed with local belles.
Another reenactor in period costume.
Union soldier checking his rifle.
President Lincoln observed the troops.
Lincoln accompanied by soldier
Soldiers readied themselves for the visit.
Lincoln greeted the troops
and shook hands.
A soldier demonstrated how to "stack" rifles.
The president pondered the future of the Union
and walked off into history.
Meanwhile at the Reading and Columbia Railroad station on Bank Street, black Union soldiers gathered (along with a few Confederates?)
A Confederate soldier in butternut uniform posed with Union soldiers.
Union soldiers proudly displayed the American flag.
Here also.
Time for a drink on a hot day.
Carrying the flag.
Flag of the 3rd United States Colored Troops
Historical information.
Most of the print can be read if the photos are enlarged.
Group shot - Union and Confederate
Proud soldiers
Looking on
Observing
Side by side
Despite a few disappointments, the event was a huge success. Thanks go to Chris Vera and the volunteer staff at the Columbia Historic Preservation Society (CHiPS), Jim "Marty" Cox and the Chiques Rock Outfitters crew, the reenactors, and all others who were involved in the planning and implementation of this historic event.
Comments
The CHPS Museum was full all day and the USPS 150th Postal Cancelations sold out by 10:30 AM.
And too all that participated and donated to this event, a very heart felt thank you.
My wife is doing fine after an accident on Front & Locust with her motorized cart, and now seven stitches in her forehead. QRS8 and a couple from Virginia that rushed to her aid to help her, my deepest heart felt thanks.
Cole, you keep pushing for the good things of Columbia, you make me proud of knowing your on top of things.
Yours truly,
Chris Vera
Director/Columbia Historic Preservation Society
I'm so sorry to hear of your wife's accident, but I'm relieved to hear she's doing fine.
Thanks for the compliment. It seemed like all the media attention on Friday and Saturday was aimed at Wrightsville and Columbia wasn't getting any coverage, so I wanted to remedy that. One of the reenactors told me WGAL snubbed them twice by postponing promised interviews. The reenactors were uniformed and ready when the station snubbed them. So let's just say, we did it our way on the coverage!
Look for CHPS to push more to have these type of Living History events in the future such as our Under Ground Rail Road tour on August 24th, stop in Saturday's and Sunday's for bus trip flyers from 1 to 4 PM.
Also a special person from a famous magazine was on hand Saturday to write an article and photo shots. Her name is Nancy Olds, Civil War News Correspondent, that Walter Bosch, Invalid Corp., helped me secure for the event.
Look for it in a upcoming Civil War News!
Thanks again and look for CHPS and some other organizations planning another 150th Civil War Event in 2013.
Chris Vera
Second, to Chris Vera: You are a wealth of knowledge regarding the history of Columbia. When you speak about it (even on a casual level) you do so with enormous passion. Thank you for your tireless effort to save the history of Columbia, as well as educate the public about it.
Third, to Chiques Rock Outfitters: What a huge undertaking it was to prepare for the bridge burning. Thanks for being willing to tackle that. There was quite a crowd gathered in anticipation, which brings me to my next point...
I was sharply disappointed that the "cops" (which I will call them in this case), decided to call the whole thing off at 11:00 pm. They (Columbia and West Hempfield) huddled at 11:00 pm and could not agree on a time to end the event. West Hempfield said 11:00 pm, the Columbia cop said that he did the planning and it was to be 11:30 pm, and I told them that it clearly stated on a lighted, highway sign in Wrightsville that the bridge would be closed from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am. We paid money to be there and were instructed to leave prior to the finale. No photographs, after we stood there in anticipation for 3 hours! Would anyone wonder why we were angry? The bridge is closed longer for the junked-up bridge bust every year. This is (or was) a 150 year historical event. Another hour or even half-hour would not have inconvenienced anyone. This is Columbia's history not West Hempfield's. Why allow them to decide…we didn't need or want their opinion. It is too sad for words that they were allowed to spoil this event for those that paid to see it with both money and patience. It seems that they do not appreciate history.
You, of all people, should be one of those people we are very "home town fill with Tide Pride" for all your time.
Thanks.
I was very disappointed with the local media coverage of this event. This was Columbia's chance to shine, but everything was focused on Wrightsville, even by the Lancaster County press. Not to slight our sister rivertown across the way, but we hold the claim, by right of history, on the bridge burning. The press could at least have covered Saturday's events. Plus, it really galls me that the black reenactors never get any coverage.
On another note, I, too, thought the police could have and should have given us a little leeway on the time instead of heavy-handedly shutting things down. Jim Cox lit the last fire at 11:30. We waited patiently for hours, and if we'd been granted the extra half hour, we all could have gotten our pics.
i think it would be more than awesome to have more evetns like this-based on our history...it's a huge draw to a lot of people! thank again!