The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-04-07
Burning Of Columbia.

Columbia, tho capital Of South Carolina,
was burned by the Rebols. 1t seems TO
have been doomed TO destruction, as we'll
as Charleston. Tho correspondent OF tho
New York Tribune gives tho following &C.
count Of the burning of Columbia:
90 our entrance into tho city, the wo-
men rushed franticlly into the streets with
bottles of whisky and basins Of whisky, and
cups Of whisky. and whisky in evory sort OF
a vessel. Tho soldiers naturally we're not
averso 10 o little whisky, Ii was discov-
cred on advancing through the city that
WI dc Hampton bad bad large qualities Of
cotton piled 10 tho strcot. Tue bales bad
beeu cut open, the cotton pulled out loose
ly, and remained all ready Tor tho torcb.-
10 several places il was actually on fro
high wind was blowing at tho time, which
had scattered the cotton through the trees,
aud on tho house teps, and piazzas, aud YER.
andahs. tho effect being iD many places ss
1t q snow.s,ovm had fallen on the city. The
fire had been set to this cotton, tho citizens
said, by Wheeler's men, who were the last
to leave the town. The wind sbaiing. the
Efforts which our men made TO cxtinguish
tho fire we're apparently successful. To.
ward evening a strong south. westerly gale
camo up. which fauncd the smolderine en-
bers aud the half cxtinguishOd cotton into
u blaze, and waited ihe newly burning tufts
Of the cotton on TO the roofs and into the
open windows aud doors O. the houses
through a large part Of the city. At tho
same time o man whe had store fillod With
provisions which belonged to the rebel gov
ornment, aud 70 which our soldiers we're
he ping themselves, himself set his store on
Are. From tho burning cotton which Rad
blown from the bales, tho city was soon on
Rre' 10 as many as twenty places. tho sold.
iers endeavoripg everywhere to arrest the
flames, tho citizens either wildly looking on
or rushing wildly about, and 10 either case
making no tffort TO stop tho fire. Our cs.
capped prisoners we're TO be seen rushing TO
the hOusos of those who had befriended
thom. and calling on the soldiers for holp,
and they worked long and earnestly to save
tho property of those who had been kind to
their comrades. Before morning. however,
noarlv the whole city was in ashes. Nearly
5000 houses had been destroyed. Tho old
capitOl was burnt, the new one somewhat
damaged. The bank note aud treasury
buildings, where tho rebel notes we're en-
graved and printed, were entirely burnt -
Tho Sisters of Mercy building and all tho
hotels. Only one church was destroyed -
Many of the soldiers wero now intoxicat ed,
barrels Of liquor were distributed, many
women were drunk, and tho city appeared
Q peife pandemonium. The dav follow.
ing. the arsenal aud public buiidings were
destroyed. We found 43 heavy guns. 5O0(
stand of small arms. 10000 rounds of fxet
ammunition, aud q great portion Of the ma
chinery that had been sent hero from
Charleston for safety at the time of th.
evacuation Of that place. Tho maobins
shops. which we're of vast importance. ord.
mace stores of all kinds. one complete bat.
terry Of Blakely guns with cassions aud lin.
Der chests. we're destroyed aud thrown into
the river, which as far as one could SOC
seemed black with powder"