The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-04-22

Our march up to this point, Lowry,5 his
been. In some respects perfect contrast to
our Georgia march. Since We left Pocota-
ligo forage of all kinds has been ~ abun-
dant almost ss in Georgia. But we have
had constant foul weather, villainous roads,
and swamps that would have appalled, any
army save Sherman's, perhaps, on earth.
And the worst probably has not yet been
seen. But I will not anticipate trouble.
On the 9Th of February our division
up the railroad five or six miles to
near Graham's Turnout, and the remain
der of the day was spent In tearing up the
railroad around that point. We resumed
our march on the afternoon of the 10th,
and crossed the South Edisto on the 11th,
mo enemy appearing. There was here q
long swamp on either side Of the river, that
onrhe further side being about mile in
length. the wagon road lying through wa
|teFmost Of the way ankle deep. A side
bridge of rails, poles, &C., was constructed,
upon which the troops marched.
On the 18th we crossed the North EdjstO.
The I'd division of the 18th corps being in
advance, found the enemy fortified ut the
river, on both sides. After short skir-
tearing up the bridge as they. went, and Mt
|terly destroying 1t. Our men felled trees
across the river, which was narrow, and
charged across, ,.H aving only logs to cross
'on, they were d Ven back three times, only
losing, howeVd, four men. The rebels
were charged again and driven pell nell
from their fort, when eur pontoons were
laid and we were all soon over.
The 18th corps in the meantime cross q
few miles to our right, striking the Colum-
|bia 4 Branchville (or Charleston) Railroad
lon the 18th at Orangeburg, the parish town
|of the county Of the same name. Orange
burg t0ds pretty town of 600 inhabitants;
the court house and all the main part OF
the town was. left . smouldering ruin
From the crossing of the North Edist0 the
again became hilly, like that An
the region Of Atlantis, being near the tame
parallel Of latitude. Tho swamps beo4me
improved. The weather was cold. For
age was abundant for man and beast.
On the afternoon OF the 18th the advance
|of the 18th corps reached the outer for.
|tidcations Of Columbia, ON the oppo-
site side OF . the Congaree river, and
about miles from the city. Between this
|and the crossing of the river Tor rivers) 1t
the city. They had several lltes Of heavy
advance. The rebel works were charged
|and after short time in skirmishing they
left their works aud Ned precipitatelV
across the river. While the attack was be.
ling made in front, our Division, being the
rear Of the corps, was sent down to make a
|feint at . crossing several miles below the
city. There were rebs on the other aide,
but in what force We never ascertained, as
Throwing out line Of skirmishers along
the river, and giving them few rounds Of
shell, we moved of in the dust and smoke
of evening, leaving one regiment to build
the camp fires of an army corps, and re-
main during the night, throwing ttD breast
scorks. The design having been accom-
plished. They moved on in the morning,
TO join their command.
BY noon, the 18th and 18th corps lay
spread out in the broad valley Of the Con.
gsree. directly opposite the proud city Of
Columbia, where was laid and hatched the
first egg Of treason. You may readily
conceive there was anxiety on both sides
The Congaree river is formed by the sa-
luda and Broad, the confluence being just
ct the city. There were consequently three
fine bridges leading into the city-onsl
across the Congaree, just below theoonfiu. !.
across the Broad-the last two being on the
same road. This was the road selected by|
Sherman for his entrance to the city.
After some deeultory Smelling across the
Congaree, Sherman began to move up the,
18th and l7th corrs (the 18th and 10Th being|
several miles to our left, and crossing att
other points,) and in few hours they
were massed directly opposite to the city,
on an elevation rising above the river bot
tom. ] never saw more magnificent
signt, as / sat upon my horse upon that
hill, with the beautiful city lying In full
view on the opposite hills, and that splen-
did army filing the whole valley with its
moving columns of infantry, with flying
banners aud ech0ing music, its long lines
al artillery and It's prancing cavalry. " al
feeling of pride and confidepcs ut thai:
hour sweMed onf chieftain's bosom. It was)
pardOnable.
Of course the rebels had burned every
bridge leading to the city "a great piece Of
tonn both the Saluda and Broad.
The work WAS commenced somewhat
late In the afternoon, and the 18th corps|
was all crossed over the Saluda, the same
night. Our Division got INTO camp little
after midnight. We could not bridge the
Broad till the 18th had crossed the Baluda,
az we had not boats enough for both riv
ers at once. Most of the l7th were over
by daylight Gu the 18th inst.
TIKI CAPTURE AND SACK oE ooLuMnyA,
.onNno.a. c ,lu nbia, TO gln-y asi.e.,
The d,sssn g. g & the world .'nd sn' ona'a O 'ae|
As soon ~ the nth had crossed the Salu
da the work OF bridging the Broad was
the rebs Smelling briskly for
= little while from an opposite hill. But
the city was already evacuated by the
main force. The vxlor0us Bea0regard, !,
iwho was in command in person. the Gov !
ernor and the chiyAlry generally we're al-
ready going with railroad speed, leaving
their proud capitol 70 Its fate.
In the meantime part Of the 1st Divis-
IAN vna Oroes,A6 In nOnto0n boAtD. while
svuns two Or three ptscss Of our artillery,
Win weN diseoaed Ahella, sent The gray
baeks NE nkightsnsd sAeeA oyee ths hills