Original diary in Lancaster County Historical Society Archives.
Summary
Francis Ziegler was born in Columbia, Pennsylvania in 1817 and he died in 1902. He was a school teacher and a telegraph operator.He recorded in this diary sporadically between 1854 and 1857. His entries describe personal experiences, but many entries pertain to events of the day, both local and national. His discontent with politics and the times, in general, is clear. The diary begins at the time of a cholera epidemic in Columbia during which many people died. He presents a picture of a very frightening time. Another highlight of the diary was his description of the invasion of Pennsylvania by Confederate troops during the Civil War. He witnessed the burning of the bridge over the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville. This action closed off a potential route for the Confederates to reach Philadelphia and Harrisburg after Gettysburg.
"Produced for Rivertownes PA USA in commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge on 28 June 1863, this program narrates the dramatic story of the bridge's destruction and details the valiant attempt of an outnumbered detachment of raw Union militia to halt the advance of Confederate Brigadier General John Gordon's determined veteran infantry."
Also "introduces the poignant, very risky participation of a company of free blacks from Columbia."
It is late June 1863 in southern Pennsylvania. The Confederates are invading the North, and one of their toughest and most cantankerous generals has decided to capture the grand covered bridge that spans the Susquehanna from Wrightsville to Columbia. From there, General Jubal Early plans to capture Lancaster, and then seize the state's capital, Harrisburg. General Early had orders to destroy it, but intended to capture it on his way to siege the North. Fire on the River tells the story that is often described as a mere skirmish in most history books. What happened in the tiny village of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, on June 28, 1863, changes the course of the Civil War. Here is the story that for so long has been overlooked in the history books. It is an amazing story of courage, and perhaps not surprisingly, how the U.S. Congress never compensated the bridge's owner for the loss, yet the burning of the covered bridge probably saved the Union. [from Amazon.com]
Christiana Riot Site and Monument--The Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge--Fulton Hall--Railroads, Stations and Yards--The Yard at Dillerville--Pennsylvania Railroad Station Lancaster City--Norris Locomotive Works--Caldwell House Hotel and Abraham Lincoln--Camp of Instruction-122nd Pa. Volunteer Infantry--General John Reynolds-Birthplace and Grave Site--President James Buchanan--Wheatland--Grave Site--Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church--Lancaster Soldiers and Sailors Monument--Millersville Civil War Monument.
Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas heritage series ; no. 10
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (p. [179]-206) and index.
Contents
Galveston Tri-Weekly News introduction to the Note-Book -- 1. The Battle below New Orleans -- 2. Ship Island, the Pearl River, and Lake Pontchartrain -- 3. Pensacola -- 4. New Orleans -- 5. The Mississippi River -- 6. Baton Rouge, Plaquemine, and Donaldsonville -- 7. The Return to Pensacola and Ship Island -- 8. The Capture of Galveston -- 9. Matagorda Bay -- 10. The Battle of Galveston -- 11. The Capture of U.S.S. Hatteras -- 12. A New Commander -- 13. Mississippi Sound -- 14. The Swamps of Louisiana -- 15. Butte a la Rose -- 16. Mobile Bay -- 17. The Return to the Teche Country -- 18. The Battle of Sabine Pass -- 19. Letters from Prison.
Summary
Information about the inner workings and day-to-day life aboard U.S. Naval vessels patrolling the Gulf of Mexico and the major river systems of the Trans-Mississippi.
The George Steinman Papers, Series 1 contains an album, compiled by George Steinman, with many photographs of buildings, tombstones, monuments and scenes of Lancaster city and county. Ephemera and newspaper articles are among the photographs. Represented in the album are Postlethwaite's Tavern, hotels and taverns, fire houses, the Conestoga massacre, churches, cemeteries, Ephrata Cloister, prominent citizens and their homes, Stehli Silk Mill, and schools. The four boxes contain orginal correspondence, documents, photographs and ephemera or and pertaining to the same subject matter as the album.
The George Steinman Papers, Series 2 is a collection of original correspondence, documents, photographs, and ephemera primarily compiled by George Steinman. The contents of Series 2 represent Lancaster city and county events, prominent citizens, buildings, monuments, churches, cemeteries, schools, and businesses. Most of what Steinman collected relates to 18th and 19th century Pennsylvania, highlighting Lancaster and Philadelphia. One of the key events highlighted is the Revolutionary war; with documents and images related to Philadelphia, George Washington, the Atlee family, and General Edward Hand. There are images relating to the Christiana Riot and to various buildings in early Lancaster; including but not limited to the Old Jail, the British Prison, and Postlethwaite's Tavern. Also included in the collection is currency printed by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1764, and Confederate States currency and bonds.
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Collection Title (MG#), Series #, Box #, Folder #, (or Object ID), LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
"Mr. Geo. Steinman who started this collection of pictures. This book was presented to the Lanc. Co. Historical Society after his death by Mr. Geo. S. Franklin."
John M. Gibson is recorded as the donor, 1968, in LancasterHistory's accession records.
LancasterHistory is committed to preserving and providing access to materials chronicling Lancaster County's heritage. As a historical resource, this document reflects the racial prejudices and actions of the era. In order to maintain the historical integrity and context of collection items, LancasterHistory does not censor historical documents or edit language, titles, or organization names when transcribing original content.
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available.
The use of the original album is restricted. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org with questions.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact Research@LancasterHistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-184
Classification
MG0184
Description Level
Fonds
Custodial History
Series 1 processed and finding aid prepared PK and MSH, 2008. Series 2 finding aid prepared by JE, 2018. Added to database 20 July 2021.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # C980002119, 2021-2024.
This collection contains items from the Hiram Buckwalter and John S. Shelley families. Hiram Buckwalter recorded the birth dates of his children in the account book. John S. Shelley's letterhead was preserved in the account book, as was an insurance receipt and two loose account and calculation sheets.
Folder 1: Account book of Hiram Buckwalter, 1881-1907; page 173 is an "account of Minnie Buckwalter," 1907 -- The account shows items purchased to furnish a home. Birth dates of Hiram's children are on the last page.
Folder 2:
Letterhead of John S. Shelley, Rapho Township Supervisors. No date.
Receipt to Hiram Buckwalter from the Manor Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Lancaster County. 1923.
Account of labor by Joseph Knabel and receipt of payment.1908.
Page of calculations. No date.
Folder 3: Facsimile of invitation to John S. Shelley and cover of program for the dedication of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge, 1930
Admin/Biographical History
John S. Shelley (1880-1965) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30594169/john-s-shelley
John's daughter, Grace (1916-2012), married Paul B. Brubaker (1913-2004). Paul was the grandson of Hiram Buckwalter (1857-1930).
The fourth book in a series of photographic histories of the county illustrates how Lancastrians participated in times of war. From the Civil War to the Iraq war , from the homefront to the trenches, whether gathering scrap or going off to foreign lands.
