CIVIL WAR BRIDGE
AIRING: Season 7, Episode 11
THE DETECTIVE: Elyse Luray
THE PLACE: Columbia, South Carolina
THE CASE:
Winter, 1865: the final stages of General Sherman’s bloody march through the south. On February 17th, the capitol city of Columbia, South Carolina – lies squarely in the General’s crosshairs. In a last-ditch effort to protect the vital railroad hub and the thousands of terrified refugees packing city streets, Confederate soldiers destroy the remaining bridge over the Broad River. The reprieve is temporary. In less than 12 hours Sherman’s men will cross the river and bring destruction to the birthplace of the Sucessionist south.
Nearly a century and a half after these dramatic events, David Brinkman of Columbia, South Carolina, believes a long-standing marker commemorating this history has missed the mark.
History Detectives host Elyse Luray goes to Columbia to examine the evidence and see if this discovery will redraw the maps of the Civil War.
Video: Joe Long Interview
Watch an extended interview with curator Joe Long.
Think you have a case for the History Detectives? Send us your mystery here. 