Phenix City in Russell County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Confederates Set Fire To Lower Bridge
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
1. Confederates Set Fire To Lower Bridge Marker
Inscription.
Confederates Set Fire To Lower Bridge. . Early in the afternoon of April 16, 1865 the first major act in the Battle of Girard-Columbus took place. Union General Emory Upton sent the First Ohio cavalry charging down old Crawford Road to capture the Dillingham Bridge, then known as the lower or wagon bridge. Confederates on the Georgia side had prepared for the Union tactic by removing the bridge's flooring and placing turpentine-soaked cotton along the length of its superstructure. Confederate Colonel C. C. McGehee crawled out on the wooden framework and set it ablaze. When they saw the bridge burst into flame, the First Ohio broke off its all-out charge.
Early in the afternoon of April 16, 1865 the first major act in the Battle of Girard-Columbus took place. Union General Emory Upton sent the First Ohio cavalry charging down old Crawford Road to capture the Dillingham Bridge, then known as the lower or wagon bridge. Confederates on the Georgia side had prepared for the Union tactic by removing the bridge's flooring and placing turpentine-soaked cotton along the length of its superstructure. Confederate Colonel C. C. McGehee crawled out on the wooden framework and set it ablaze. When they saw the bridge burst into flame, the First Ohio broke off its all-out charge.
Erected 2004 by Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Phenix City-Russell County Chamber of Commerce.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 16, 1904.
Location. 32° 27.806′ N, 84° 59.961′ W. Marker is in Phenix City, Alabama, in Russell County. Marker is at the intersection of Dillingham Street and Brickyard Road, on the left when traveling east on Dillingham Street. At the western foot of the Dillingham Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 495 Dillingham Street, Phenix City AL 36867, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 5, 2013
2. Dillingham Bridge today.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,076 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
