Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-06-30
THE INvAsI0N OF Pennsylvania.


The Fight at Columbia Bird .e-Com plete
Destruction of the Bridge.
COLUMBIA, PA, June o. Despatch to the
Philadelphia Bulletin. 1.-The night has passed.
and no attack has yet been made at this point
by the rebels.
This morning strong parties of soldiers were
sent to guard the fords and prevent the rebels
crossing the Susquehanna on boats and RATS.
The rebels are plainly visible on the other side
of the river riding about. No flag is seen flying
at Wrightsvllle.
The bridges on the Northern Central railroad
are now being destroyed.
Other bridges were destroyed yesterday. A
foundry and some houses at Wrights Vile took
fire from the burning bridge and were destroyed.
and barns in Wrightsville. The residents were
much alarmed, but the majority remained on
the ground. An attempt was made by the rebels
last night to cross the river below Bainbridge,
seven miles distant, but it failed.
The engagement yesterday at Wrightsville
lasted about an hour and quarter. Our men
fought valian'iy; also the negro company dis
unguished itself.
All the bridges on the Northern Central rail-
road. between Hanover Junction and Cone
Waga, are known to be destroyed
The Fight at Wrishtsville.
COLUMBIA, June %, * a. m.-[Dispatch to
the Philadelphia Bulletin. The great bridge
over the Susquehanna, which was DESTROYED
last might, was constructed in 1881, and Cost
S157,0O0 1t was $500 feet long, fourteen feet
above high water built a IL of wood, and about
forty feet wide; had two tracks also, used for
vehicles and foot passengers, and tow paths,
the latter for the Susquehanna and Tide Wa
ter Canal.
The conf1agration was sublime sight, the
entire length being on fire at once, with the
buildings at Wrightsville and floating blazing
dmbers in the stream. The rebels were on the
other bank and the adjacent hills and crowds
OF males and females on this side gazing at the
sight.
The retreat of the troops, the firing of the
bridge and she'll and shot falling into the river
created panic here and the skedaddle contin-
ued during the night as the Smelling of the town
was anticipated.
on the left on the railroad, between small
squad and 50 rebel dismounted cavalry. Mai
Knox was there, and narrowly escaped being
hit. Our squad fell hack to the intrenchments
fighting Half an hour afterwards the pickets
on the turnpike a mile from the intrenchments
were attacked and retired, followed by the
enemy.
In few moments three pieces of artillery
We're planted on the pike, about 500 yards from
the intrenchments, and three in field to the
right. AT the same time 1t was discovered that
we were thanked on both sides.
The rebel artillery fire was continuous, the
shells bursting within the entertainments. After
gallant defence, without artillery, the order
tor retreat was given, and in good order we
retired, the enemy'S cavalry following to the
bridge entrance, and shells bursting all around
The cOlorS formerly Of the One hundred and
twenty ninth Pennsylvania waved during the
fight, and smalls flags were waving here and
there along the lines Nothing was lost except
few tents, rations, and entrenchng tools,
The order from Harrisburg to prevent the
rebels from crossing was imperative, and the
destruction of the bridge was absolutely neces-
SaIy.