The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-03-07
SHERMAN'S MARCH THROUGH
SOUTH CAROLINA

Columbia. and held prisoner until the yankee
army passed Lancaster G. III. DIR. Glover was with
the enemy in their march through Columbia and
Wnnsboro and gives interesting account of their
conduct in those places and on the line of march.
There was regular battle at Columbia; only
slirht skirmishing the part of our cavalry. The
enemy commenced marching into the city Friday
the 18th, and very afterwards the city was in
flames. The confagration extended from the Capitol
on both sides of Main street to Cotton Town.,
Stunning about eighty squares of buildings. The old
CAPITOL the Catholic Convent. the Court House and
Jail aud the Printing Offices were burnt along with
hundreds of other buildings. The new Capitol, our
informant thinks, was partially destroyed, though
others say it not injured because it would re-
quire a large amount of powder to blow it up. The
S. C. College buildings and Lunatic Asylum
capped. 1t is said that the firing done before
Gen. Sherman himself reached the city. and that
he afterwards expressed regret at it, but of
all that will pass for hypocrisy. After Sherman
reached the city he posted guards with orders to
shoot any soldier caught setting fire to house, and
our informant says three yankee soldiers were shot.
Childs' Factory the city was burnt. General
Sherman occupied General Hampton's house as his
headquarters.
When the enemy went into Columbia number of
white and Union flags were found flying, but the
yankee soldiers did not seem to respect them much,
and told those who sought protection in that way
that they were found lin d-n bad company But
when the enemy left the city number of citizens
supposed to be northerners and foreigners) went
off with them, the enemy furnishing transportation
for and baggage.
At Winnsboro, about twenty buildings in the
business portion of the town were burnt, and all
residences and stores robbed of provisions,
clothing, spoons, knives and forks. &c.
We learn that the citizens of Columbia and
Winnsboro suffering very much for food
everything Of the kind having been taken from them.
Thousands of the citizens of Columbia houseess
The Charlotte & S. c. Railroad destroyed
from Columbia to Blackstocks "a station between
Chester and Winnsboro) distance of about SO
miles. The cross-ties burnt and the rails
twisted.
Our informant says that 80 far as he could see or
learn personal injury inflicted persons
found in their houses-instances of violence may
have occurred, but he nothing of the kind
Every they met the road captured and
held prisoner, unless he could produce evidence
that he was not liable to military service.
In regard to the destruction of property through
the country along the enemy's line of march,
told that all cotton gin houses and mills burnt,
also dwellings unoccupied. Where the owner of
house had left and put in possession to
take care of it. the enemy would remove the
pant and burn it. Horses, mules and provisions of
all kinds were seized wherever found. But few
negroes forced off-some went voluntarily.
1t is said the yankees generally treated the negroes
very badly, compelling them to carry heavy burdens
on the march, and when they broke slown beat
shoot them. i gentleman who remained in Wins
bnr wi
treated the negroes great deal worse than the
white people.
The army, in marching through the country, did
not keep the roads rrltss they straight in the
direction the enemy Wished to go. For whole days
the march was through the woods. Companies of
foragers sent out in all directions to procure
supplies. The army consisted of four corps-the
18TH I7th goth and Oath, besides Kilpatrck's
airy. The ratons of the soldiers appeared to be
short and those who held as prisoners suffered
for food-our informant going or days without
anything to eat.
Our informant, DR.. Glover was held as prisoner
until the yankee army reached Lynch's Greek (be-
tween Csnden and Cheraw) in or Chesterfield
District when he released by Gen. Blair, COM
mander of the 18th corps From the direction the
army then marching, he thinks they
making for Georgetown. The talk among the
but there was certainty about their destination.
The yankee cavalry remained few days in Lam
caster District, foraging and plundering, and were
met two three times by cavalry and scattered
On Sunday morning, the Goth, Gen Wheeler met
small body of the enemy's cavalry three miles this
side of Lancaster C. H. and whipped them, killing
5 and capturing 7. The yankee infantry passed
about six miles below Lancaster G.. H.-none came
nearer than that to the village.
VISIT OF YANKEE CAVALRY TO MONROE N. C.
On Wednesday last, about 3 O'Clock, a squad of
thirty five yankee cavalry dashed into the village
of Monroe, Union county, remained about an hour
and LIFT. carrying off all the horses and mules they
could gather up. train of wagons ten in number
belonging to a party of refugees from Chester Dis
trict had just reached the village and standing
IN the street when the yankees appeared. Of
course the train seized. and horses mules, and
wagons with their contents. and 10 negro men, were
carried off. l3 of the negroes escaped from the
enemy and returned to Monroe the night. The
loss is heavy to the unfortunate refugees for
we suppose the wagons contained all the valuables
they possessed. The women and children that
accompanied the wagons were left standing in the
streets of Monroe.
No buildings burnt in the village-not even
the Court House and Jail were iniured-bpt the
enemy seized whatever they wanted and carried it
off. Two couriers (sent cut from this place) sta