Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-03-10
REBEL AccoUNT OF THE CAPTURE OF COLUMBIA

tains a rebel account of Sherman's occupation
of Columbia. from the Augusta Constitution
alist, Feb. %. derived from Columbia. Ii ap-
pears that rebel troops. in large numbers lett,
on the I7th. in The direction of Charleston.
Gov. Magrath left on the 18th for the upper
section of the State. Bsauregard left the. same
day for Charlotte Major Goodwin went the
same day aud surrendered the city to Sherman
Public stores were thrown open and every
hody helped themselves No stores were
burned. Shermans army entered Columbia
in the afternoon. They soon commenced de-
s,roying public property. The dePo's and
arsenals were blown up, and the buildings in
the suburbs, containing public stores, were
fred.
Late in the morning pile Of cotton in the
street. near the COugaree House, took fire from
sparks and flames, IA I'd spread 10 some wooden
buildings which were near, when a strong wind
drove The flames down both sides of the street
Explosions continually filed the air. The re-
sidences and ground were shaken as by an
earthquake and vast columns OF smoke and
flames rose to the heavens.
Nothing Of any kind was saved. Goods,
provisions and furniture, were moved to sup
posed places Of security, and burned as the
fire progressed. The distance burned on Main
street is about a mile and half. DE-. Rev.
nolds house is the only one left standing by
tween the section known as CottontOWn and
the State House. The fire also extended five
to ten blocks east OF Main street, destroying
everything. The entire business poriiou OF
the city is in ruins.
Both hotels, the Guardian and Carolinian
newspaper offices, number of churches, the
Catholic Seminary and several other public
buildings; all the depots, the buildings at
Charlotte Junction, Evans & Cogswell's
printing establishment, are burned. All the
cars, engines and railroads which the rebels
did not remove, are destroyed. Oay three
churches are left standing, the Catholic, Epis-
cOpaliaD and Presbyterian. The Female
College is uninjured, and is now occupied by
hOuseiess women and children.
The old State House was blown down, but
the new State House was not touched, it con-
tanning the statue of Washington. Wade
Hamptons house was saved by Federal officers
Gen. Prestons house was also saved, and given
TO the occupants of the Catholic Seminary,
whose property was accidentally destroyed. -
The railroads about Columbia are all torn up.
All the bridges leading to the place are de-
stroyed, and all lounderies and machine shops
burned
The country around the place is stripped of
all eatabes and transportation. All the
horses aud carriages in the city were taken
The citizens are said to be ia a very destitute
condition, and unless some relief il soon OBJ
tained there will be great suffering AID deaths
from starvation. Some 25 miles of the Green
vile Railroad had been previously damaged by
a freshet. Much damage was also done to the
road by the enemy. The Treasury Depart
rnent and Banks were removed to CHARLOTTE
Both papers removed portion of their stock
10 the same place,
Many negroes left with Sherman's army, but
none were taken by force. Large numbers
are returning to their masters. Sherman
thought he would visit the country but he
wodId not visit the country west of,
Broad river, and advised the Major to send
citizsns there. 1
The Federals seemed much inceased against
Magrath, AID should use him barshly if they |
get him in their power. Few, if any, private
residences were entered, and no outrages
known to have been committed on ladies'
Tbe enemy were under strict discipline during
their march through the city.
Sberman's Headquarters we're in the city at
he residence of Mr.. Duncan. His infantry I
and artillery are estimated to have numbered /
10000. No cavalry was with him; their rear .
guard passed through Tuesday morning. The
troops were in the best of condition, were well |
clothed, we'll shod, and marched as if they had
ust started on an expedition, instead of being
,ut several weeks.
Fl. Mott, ST. Mathews and Union Court
Houses have been destroyed. Some OF Sher-
mans officers are said to have gone to Raleigh
md Salisbury. The General himself appeared
II good spirits and confident of success. One
Corps took the road to Camden and Florence,
mother to WeiDnesboro and Sherman with
wo corps moved on the direct road to Char
Otte.