Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-04-05

x
ult, the Confederate forces evacuated the city,
having, however, destroyed the bridges over
the rivers above named. The enemy crossed
overly their pontoons and small boats, and
were on their march on the city by 10 o'clock
the same day..
The Mayor, attended by some civilians,
went out to meet Sherman, and offered him,
in person, the possession of the city, 'and;its
.surrender Internationally, which was indig-
ncntly refused.
AT the head of largeand we'll disciplined
army, the sacriligeous lneendiary rode IN all
the majesty efselEconceit; before him was
rstolen carriage, well equipped and drawn by
stolen steeds OF. rare beauty and excellence.
This was triumphant chariot, which, was
decorated with Yankee flags, Southern rib,
bons, flowers, and various trinkets used by
our school girls. as'.
The, main army entered the city from the
West and marched in military array through
| the principal streets. There were no strag-
gers. All was order, decorum and strict
discipline. The troops were well Clothed,
fand oil were in the prime of manhood. 1T
was evident from the, healthy and jovial ap.
pearauce of the whole army, both officers and
privates, that they had lived luxuriously on.
the spoils of the citizens Of this State. l was
informed by an officer that such was the
abundance of provisions on their: line of
march that in many instances they only con-
sumed the choicest parts of beeyes and de-
stroyed the rest. Old wines, brandies, &c,
which had been treasured for years, supplied
the officers, whilst the common soldiers
slaked their thirst with more. recent and
common beverage. -. =.
I found, By personal observation that there
were not fifty sick persons belonging to the
army, and none were dangerously 80. The
horses and mules were unquestionably ia
splendid order. These animals wore selected
from the best stock in the State. / have. been
informed on indubitable authority, and, have
witnessed several instances myself, that when
ever horses, mules, cows, &c, were not selec-
ted for any purpose, they were, in. most In
stances, Shutdown, or otherwise destroyed.
The superior officers OF the army establish
ed their headquarters on the outskirts of the
city, and allowed the common soldiers and
inferior officers to enter and. [pillsge the
town. =
When all was. arranged, aud the proper
disposition made of. baggage, zSc., the city
was given up to pillage. The work Of ,plun
der took place about 2 O'Clock of the same
day or which they entered the city. At first
only ptores, warehouses and banks were
robbed. l have witnessed the .plundering OF.
several banks and stores, and such'a scene l
trust never again to see. Officers, prlvatcs
and negroes were mixed in one promiscuous-
gang, all and each cursipg, swearing, bias
pheming, breaking open closets, trunks, desks,
&C., and hnrrying away laden with the silver
and golden ware, jewelry, &C. The plumber.
thus obtained mist haye BEEN immense, as
several of the Gbarleston banks had beenre-
moved to this place, when that city was
threatened by the enemy. The people here
were entirely unprepared for this general dc
struction, on account of the rumered clenlen-
cy extended to the people of Georgia by the
Lncendiary.
Similar scenes Of robbery were being per
petratcd in various parts of the city, and COLI
tinued so till night. In fact, the whole army
was converted into grand gang of robbers,
and thev piled their ayocatious with unpar
allied assiduity.
Nearly every house in the town was sup
piled with guard, whether by order OF
proper ofGcers or merely volunteer, cannot
assert. They were indee'! faithful guardians
but faithful to their lust of plumber. They.
dissembled, deceived and led several into
false security, The citizens. literally ieasled'
them, hopiug thereby 70 secure their protec
ton. i. is my firm conviction that these men
we're posted ut every house for the purpose ot
destroying them, or throwing the people of
their guard. OF this, however, have no
proof. though am well aware tlatthey wera,
in moss INSTANCES, tie parties selected {,
burn the citT, aad who actually did SO. o.
the deception praesised on myself ard othsrs
| will not speak, it being ONLY a parsof 'br
general system Z. diSsnulaton used bY tp;,'
wicked horde of robbers, yelcpt Sherman :.
army.
As night approached, the sackirg Of the
city became, i, possible, NOR. general. Uni
versal dismay and terror held the, people rs
ifiu-the grasp Of steel. The citizens confined
themselves 10 their houses, and nane WIRE
ON the streets but Yankees and negroes We
had confidently hoped that the vast treas
nres, both public and, private, now in the
possessio;.tfl the enemy, and carefully sccur-
ed in their wagon traus, .wonld sstialc their
vengeance, aiiQ thtss th0 eii "ou'H SnSCfPe-
the torch Of the incendiary. 1t was a 1deln.
sive dream. Sherman had issued his Gukase,"
saG the city must burn.
It was delightful night. The sun had
lust nonc down in all his glory, and the stars
shore forth from their biueAhome in 4he heay
ons e: though they were that night TO dance
'over the. clear waters or the Congaree, and
not be messengers to bear TO the Common
Father ofall the horrid tragedy Of cruel
and triumphant foe, whose polluted hands
were dripping before morning ,Eita p.llage,
pillage, rape and incest.
At about ! clock, the first house was fr-
ed. then another, another and another, in
such rapid succession that nearly ai the houses
on Main street were simultaneously in fumes.
At firstthe iremen made an effort TO suhdue
the conAagration, but they were driven of, at,
the poirt of the bayonet, and the fire ougines
destroyed. After this, no combined attempt
was made to save the city. Tie work Of it,
cendiarism went on uninterruptcdly, and to
the entire, satisfaction of the Commander-in-.
ob;sr Nevar hefore were any orders issued