Thursday, April 9, 2015

The day they drove old Dixie down

"The night they drove old Dixie down,
And all the bells were ringing . . ."

Today, April 9, marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Appomattox and the subsequent surrender of General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse.  The event is regarded as the end of the Civil War. Bells will ring at 3:15 this afternoon  in various locations in York and Lancaster Counties.

Columbia played a pivotal role in the Civil War when locals burned the covered bridge spanning the Susquehanna to thwart the advance of Confederate troops.  The Confederates were turned back and were later confronted by Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg, a Confederate defeat - and the beginning of the end for the South.

2 comments:

Sharon said...

Anyone with a bell should meet at 3:00 pm in Rotary Park today and go out on the bridge sidewalk for the bell ringing at 3:15 pm.

Joe Lintner said...

Good idea, considering Columbia's role in the bridge burning.