Vestiges of the civil war were aroused at the West Columbia City Council meeting Tuesday night.

The Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, each year for the last 12 years, have requested that Alexander Road be closed.

The SCV conducts a mock firing on Columbia to commemorate Gen. William T. Sherman’s February 1865 bombardment of the city. The mock firing takes place near Riverwalk in February.

West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall told council he has gotten complaints about the noise and smoke caused by the blank cannon fire that is a part of the event. Tyndall also said that construction on the four-acre Brookland development has reduced parking area, and the amount of space, for a potential cannon firing.

But John Gordon, representing the Sons of Confederate Veterans said  parking has been secured in the lot at Al’s Upstairs restaurant on Meeting Street. He also said the cannons that are fired were moved down- from street level- to the Riverwalk Amphitheater in 2017, and that blunts travel of the noise.

Councilman Tem Miles, who represents the district where the event is held, said he wants to see it continue for its historical value. Council then voted unanimously to close the Amphitheater for the cannon firing on Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. so the event can continue.

In other news from the meeting, Miles was elected Mayor Pro-Tem for council. Mayor Bobby Horton was elected to be the chairman of the council, which is in keeping with council’s traditional procedure.