Bridge of Destiny

"I do not know the name of the creek, but I have named it the creek of death. Such a slaughter I hope never to witness again."

Pvt. George Lewis Bronson, 11th Connecticut Infantry

A Divided Nation - A Divided Family

Union Col. Henry W. Kingsbury (left) and Confederate Gen. David R. Jones (right) married sisters Eva and Rebecca Taylor. At Antietam, Col. Kingsbury, described as a "brilliant, honorable and brave soldier," commanded the 11th Connecticut Infantry that made the first attack on Burnside Bridge. Gen. Jones was nicknamed "Neighbor" Jones for his friendly, outgoing personality. Gen. Jones and the soldiers of his division defended the bridge.

While leading his men, Col. Kingsbury was wounded four times, "suffered great pain during the dressing of his wounds, and survived but twenty-four hours." For months later, Jones, whose soldiers had killed his brother-in-law, died of a heart attack at age thirty seven.

Marker can be reached from Old Burnside Bridge Road, on the left when traveling east.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources:

HMDB