Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-04-14

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Account OF the capture OF Columbia, 8. c.
The 3rst iowa First 20 Enter tho city.
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JOY OF RELEASED PRISONERS.
THE ARMY RESTING AT GoLDsBoRo, n. G.
Interesting Ien,s, from, Brace Ioaa Boys.
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| FAyrrTEvILLE, y. ca
| vy ~ a. March 18th, 1855. ! |
b. MEsSRs, EDITORS - As you saw fit
to publish my former letter IN trouble
you with a few more lines, and If you
think they will interest your patrons
you can publish them. shall only
write what l know of the campaign just
past, and only so much of that as
think worthy of notice.
T. Weleft Beaufort, S. C.,l on the eth
of January, and from that time until
the present have been marching, skir-
mishing and fomging in the States of
South and North Carolina; and 1 only
speak the sentiments Of all when say
that q more God-forsaken country and
people never have seen. Pine-barrens
and cypress swan,ps make the country;
disconsolate wonlen, ragged children,
Ignorant negroes, and cur dogs, consti-
tute the inhabitants of this far-famed
land of chivalry, as SEEN from the stand
point of Sherman's army. Nearly all
Of the better class (and they are but
few have gone from before us to hunt
up. their rights, or grieve over their
wrongs. Said one of those who had
concluded to face the music, When we
voted for this they told us that there
never would be any fighting here; but,
said he, they lied, and the people who
were once SO happy under the Old Flag
are now terror stricken, and fly at its
approach. If we have sinned, said he,
have we not already been sufficiently
PUNISHED think they have, and so
would you, IL you had been with u.s.
South Carolina has been taught lesson
that she will be eslow to forget, and there
will stare her in the face for years desc
lation and waste, the fruits of her own
madness and treason, 80. s,s..
i The boys are all well. Captain Will
.liams assumed command of the Compa-
ny on the 1st of March. Lient. Sails
bury is assigned to the command of
1 Company +. Ephraim Smelser was
killed on the Sd Of February. M. l..
Tracy was captured by the enemy on
the Ind of February. Those are the
only losses of b Company, although we
had several lively skirmishes. >f.
i On the 10th Of February we came up
to the Johnnies about s miles from the
city of Columbia, the capital of Sosth
Carolina. We fought and drove them
seven miles, darkness preventing us
from going farther. On the morning of
the 18th we took the city, and will tell
you how ii WAS done. AS we were some
what interested, and although you will
not get it in very good style, yet we en-
joyed it hugely. -. ~. Is
4 The Congaree river was between us
and the city, and the rebs disputed our
crossing. 1t is formed Of the Saluda
and Broad rivers, the junction being
about half mile above the city. We
crossed the Saluda on a pontoon bridge
just at sundown, and marched about
one and half miles to near the bank
Of the Broad, and waited there for the
pontooniers to get line across the
Broad river. They failed until about
half past o'clock, when Lieut.. Dun
ham of Company /, 8lst Iowa, offered
his services, and he soon put q line
across, making il safe to start raft over
with troops. A detail of one hundred
and sixty men from the Brigade then
I. went over OH a raft, and our regiment
| followed rs rapidly as possible. After
landing we looked about us and found
that we were still on an island; but,
not discouraged, we sounded and found
1t was only bayou twenty to thirty
feet wide and about three feet deep. At
early daylight the rebs came at us, and
for about one hour there was very lively
times; but, getting oil ready, we went
at them in q charge by skirmishers sup
ported by the regiments, and away they
went. The Both boys waded the bayou,
the 3lst and 9th passed over foot
bridge, and after we fairly got after
them we did not stop-nei:her did the
pelicans, or ut least we could now and
then get g0pd view of their uniform,
or of the unlforln that A. Ward aseribes
to them, as they went out of sight across
the hill. We then halted and formed
the brigade, preparing to move on the
city, when behold the Mayor came out
and surrendered the city to Col. G. O..
Stone, of the 25th Iowa, commanding
3D. Brigade, 1st Division, l5th A. c.
He ordered us to move, and the 31st
took the advance, followed By the 3oth,
9th Drth anl atb ,,,.l a +. a,,.,. !. = -. -