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Battle for the Bridge

On April 20, 1863, Confederate Gens. William E. “Grumble” Jones and John D. Imboden began an offensive against the key transportation line, starting in Virginia up through present-day West Virginia. Taking different routes, they marched 1,100 miles and burned four turnpike bridges and more than 20 railroad spans. Most of the bridges were soon repaired, however, and by May of that year both generals and their troops had returned to the Shenandoah Valley.

In Fairmont, the Confederate troops captured the Palatine Foundry, then worked their way up to the railroad bridge. It was damaged by the Confederate forces but repaired a few weeks later. The Fairmont and Mannington Home Guards, with support from troops based in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York, fought for the Union side.

Visit: hmdb.org To See Battle for the Bridge. The Foundry Fight. Jones Imboden Raid.