Burning the Bridge

On July 9, 1864, a wooden covered bridge spanned the Monocacy River where the present-day Urbana Pike Bridge stands. The bridge offered the Confederates easy movement as they sought to speed 15,000 troops with their horses, wagons, and artillery toward Washington, D.C. Union General Wallace ordered the bridge held at all hazard, and throughout the morning Confederate forces advanced on it, but a determined Union force held them back. By noon, Wallace decided to move his troops toward the Confederate threat at the Thomas farm and then ordered the bridge burned. Sheaves of wheat were gathered and ignited under the bridge's roof, and flames engulfed and destroyed the structure. Wallace later recalled the struggle he had with himself before giving the word and seeing the old crossing in a whirl of flame and smoke.

Maryland · United States