Confederate partisans planned to burn the lower timbers of the  bridge across the river, leaving the top looking intact. At 11:15 p.m. on a moonless night, the westbound passenger train from Hannibal, Missouri, to St. Joseph started to cross the bridge. The supports cracked and gave way.
Confederate rebels planned to set fire to the bridge's lower structure, leaving the top intact. At 11:15 p.m. on a moonless night, the westbound passenger train from Hannibal, Missouri, to St. Joseph began crossing the bridge. The supports gave way.