Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-03-08
TELEGRAPHIO NEWS.
FROM HILTON HEAD, 8, G.

Late News frem Charleston Families
Returning to the City-A Regiment OF
White Soldiers to be Raised There-Thc
Occupation of Col un nbia-Further Partic.
aiars concerning It-Detaiis of the Great
Eire-Cheerfui Spirit of Sherman's NJ en-
Estimate Of the Strength of HIS Army.
NEW YORK, March The steamer Savan-
nah, from Hilton Head on the 5th, has arrived.
and srings impor tant dispatches from Generai
Gilmore TO the Var Department.
The Charleston Courier OF the I'd, says An
ohlcer OF Sherman's army was in Charleston,
taking initiative steps toward raising a regi-
ment of white soldiers.
number Of the families who had moved be-
yond the city limits, had returned with their
household goods
The savapnah Republican also conts1ns an
account of Sherman's occupation OF Columbia,
derived from citizen OF that city.
1t appears, that the rebel troops left on the
18th ultlmo in the direction of Charlotte. Gov
ernor MagIath left on the 18th. Beauregard LETT
on the same day for Charlotte.
Mayor Goodwin surrendered the city at Sc
luda bridge. three miles out
The public stores were thrown open, and
everybody helped themselves. No stores were
burnt. Sherman's army entered Columbia in
the afternoon, and soon afterward they COM
menced destroying the public property. The
depots and arsenals were blown up, and the
buildings In the suburbs containing public
stores were fired.
Late in the afternoon a pile of cotton in the
street near the Congaree House took fire from
sparks, and the flames spread. strong wind
drove them turiously down both sides OF the
street. Nothing OF any account was saved.
The distance burned on Main street was
about mile and half. DIR. Reynolds house
was the only one lett standing between the
section known as Cotton Town and the State
House.
The fire also extended two blocks east OF
Maih street, destroying everything. The en-
tire business portion Of the town is in ruins.
Sherman thought he would not visit the
country west of Broad river, and advised the
Mayor TO send the citizens there.
The Federals seemed much incensed against
Governor Magrath, and would use him harshly
if they get him.
Few, if any, private residences were entered
No outrages are known to have been COM
mitted on the ladies.
The enemy were under strict discipline dur.
ing their march through the city.
General Sherman had his headquarters In
the city, at the house OF Dir. Duncan. 1t wes
estimated that his infantry and artillery num-
bered 10000 men. No cavalry was with him.
Both hotels, the Guardian and Carolinian
newspaper offices, Catholic seminary, all the
depots and buildings at the Charlotte Junction.
Evans d Cogswells printing establishment
were burned.
All the cars and locomotives which the
rebels did not succeed in removing were de-
stroyed.
Only three churches were lett standing-ths
Catholic, Episcopalian. and Presbyterian.
The female college was uninJured. ard is
now occupied by houseless women and chill
dren.
The Old State house was blown up. The
new Statehouse was not touched, il containing
q statue of Washington.
Wade Hampton's was saved by Federal Of
fcers General Prestons house was also
saved and given to the occupants OF the Catho-
lie Seminary, whose property was accidently
destroyed.
The railroads about Columbia were all torn
up.
All the bridges leading to the place were de-
stroyed
All foundries and machine shops were de-
stroyed.
The country around the place is stripped of
eatables and transportation. All the horses
and carriages in the city were taken.
Many negroes left with Sherman's army.
None we're taken by force.
A large number are returning TO their mas
ters
The troops were in the best condition. They
were clothed and well shod and marched as
if they had just started on the expedition in-
stead OF being out for weeks.
Some of fSherman's officers said his destina
tion vas Raleigh and Salisbury. The Genera
himself appeared in good spirits, "ud confident
of success.
One corps took the road TO Camden and Flo
renee and another to Winnsboro, and Sher-
man, with two corps, marched on the direct
road 10 Charlotte.