June 30, 1863, The New York Herald
OUR COLUMBIA CORRESPONDENCE.
COLUMBIA, June 29, 1863.
EXCITEMENT IN COLUMBIA – PANIC.
When the news of the rebel advance upon York reached here it threw the place into an indescribable flutter; but as the fact became more and more certain the excitement of the citizens of Columbia and the neighboring villages knew no bounds. This condition of affairs gradually grew until Saturday last, when it culminated in a general panic. The country people from the direction of York, who had been coming over for several days in long lines across the bridge, did not diminish the excitement of the Columbians. On Saturday last, between ten A. M. and four P.M., it is estimated that, besides everything else, four thousand horses passed over the bridge to Columbia from the south side of the river. This is independent of those in harness.
THE TROOPS FALLING BACK.
Gradually our forces, who consisted of infantry and cavalry, fell back from before the enemy from York to Wrightsville, always keeping them in view, however, and those of our cavalry who were acting as scouts sometimes approaching quite near the enemy. The distance from York to Wrightsville is only ten miles by the turnpike, along which the main body of the rebel column, consisting of two brigades of Ewell’s corps and four hundred of Ashby’s cavalry, advanced.
SKIRMISHING.
Some shots were exchanged between the rebels and our cavalry, who consisted of the Philadelphia City Troops and a company of citizens from Columbia mounted on their own horses. The rebels made several attempts to flank and capture our men, but were always discovered by the scouts. All this manoeuvring occurred yesterday afternoon.
THE COLUMBIA BRIDGE – RIFLE PITS.
Before this, however, preparations had been made to extend a military reception to the enemy on his arrival at Columbia. The bridge over the Susquehanna was prepared so that a few blows would make it impassable. The citizens were organizing companies: rifle pits were being thrown up on the river bank opposite the town, beyond the village of Wrightsville, and every precaution was taken to guard against surprise. Brass six-pounders and iron Griffin guns of about the same calibre were brought forward and placed so as to rake the bridge. Guards were placed on and around it as the forces fell back from York.
ALARM CONTINUING.
Notwithstanding all this, the citizens were in a great state of alarm. A man arrived from York on Saturday afternoon with a premature despatch of the capture of that place. Every one expected the immediate approach of the enemy on the spot. This was amusingly illustrated by a circumstance that occurred a few hours after. A party of our own cavalry dashed over the bridge at rather a quick pace, and terrified every one by the suddenness of their approach, who, without stopping to inquire, concluded they were a party of the enemy. “The rebels,” [….] rebels are coming,” ran through the streets. Women fled to fourth stories and basements, and men wherever they could find a shelter. There was a general alarm and no show of fighting. The old and young were terrified alike, and all were equally relieved and delighted when they perceived that the cavalry were friends instead of foes. Some, however, could not believe it a reality that the rebels were not yet among them for a considerable time.
THE REBELS APPROACHING.
It was about three o’clock on Sunday afternoon when the announcement came that the rebels were advancing, five thousand strong, upon Columbia, their cavalry being one mile in advance of the other forces. At four this news was confirmed; but the five thousand was increased to six or seven thousand men. About half-past five the skirmishing began. Then, unfortunately, there was no ammunition for our guns, and they were consequently of no service.
THE REBELS ATTEMPT TO FLANK OUR FORCES.
Colonel Frick, who commanded our men, conceived the idea that the enemy was endeavoring to flank him, and sent out skirmishers along the turnpike and railroad to ascertain the fact. The discovery was soon made; for the enemy skirmishers were advancing along both roads, when at the same time they attacked the rifle pits and commenced shelling them from eminences on the right and left with six pound shells.
OUR RECEPTION.
Our men gave them a volley or two from their rifle pits, knocking six or eight over and losing two themselves, one of whom belonged to a colored company organized in the town. His head was shattered by a fragment from one of the enemy shells. It is noticeable here that while the cannonading was going on the church bells of Columbia were ringing to assemble the citizens to the ordinary divine worship of the Sabbath day.
OUR RETREAT – THE BRIDGE FIRED – THE CONFLAGRATION.
Meantime our forces commenced precipitately to hurry to and over the bridge, when they perceived themselves in danger of being cut off. In this confusion the preparations to destroy one span of the bridge were forgotten, and the torch was applied to it. It was now about seven in the evening. The bridge was over a mile long, and the largest covered bridge in the United States. The spans were twenty-eight, each being over two hundred feet apart, and forty feet wide, and the bridge covering was twenty-five feet from the roadway. The abutments were stone. The spectacle presented by the conflagration of this noble structure was sublime. A vast sheet of flame, at one time half a mile in length, crept slowly from Wrightsville towards Columbia, illuminating the waters of the Susquehanna for miles each way, and lighting up everything as clear as gaslight illuminates a room. The crackling noise produced by the burning bridge, and the shouts and confusion of the people, all made up a scene such as is seldom witnessed. It was feared that many of our militia fell into the hands of the enemy, who had not time to escape across the bridge. Some of them afterwards made their way into the lines by the way of Brenneman’s ferry, up the river a few miles, and it is hoped most of the rest will turn up.
THE REBELS ENDEAVORED TO SAVE THE BRIDGE; but they were too late. The report that they had shelled Wrightsville was incorrect. This morning the river is well watched and guarded wherever it is possible to ford it, and the rebels will scarcely have the temerity to swim their horses over it. They are plainly visible on the opposite bank, and can be seen feeding their horses and manoeuvring around the town and vicinity. Nothing but cavalry is in sight to-day Wrightsville. The alarm has subsided here a good deal, and the citizens begin to congratulate themselves that they are free from the rebels, and hope soon to see them driven from the State and the rebellion ended.
RUMORS AND REPORTS.
There are various reports of the rebel cavalry trying to cross the river at Brenneman’s and other points up the river, and below this point; but there is nothing certain. The forces here are drilling and perfecting their organization, and reinforcements are constantly expected.