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During the Civil War, on June 28, 1863, the advancement of the Confederate Army was stopped by the burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge. (This covered bridge was built just 29 years before it was destroyed.) Their plan was, under General Gordon, to capture Columbia, destroy the railroad, and march to Harrisburg.  The original plan was to blow up the bridge under Major Haller's direction. The charge exploded but failed to do any harm so the Major ordered it to be set on fire. The fire fanned by the wind soon spread toward Wrightsville setting a lumberyard on fire. When Gordon arrived on the scene, he wanted to form a bucket brigade to save the bridge but no buckets were to be found. Somehow, when the houses started burning on the south side of Hellam Street, buckets appeared everywhere. He and his Confederate comrades were heroes for saving our town from burning. (All in all, there were about six houses that were destroyed. At one point they had to blow up a house or two to keep the flames from spreading.) Mrs. Rewalt served a meal to Gordon and some of his soldiers in appreciation for saving her house from burning. Gordon respected her for her grace and fortitude. Years later they met again. He never forgot her.


Medium: Pen & Ink
Size: 11x14 Framed to 16x20