Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-08
CHARLESTON AND GEoKGIA

NEW YORK, March Z.
The steamer Savannah, from Hilton
Head on the 4th, has arrived, and brings
important dispatches from Gilmore to the
War Department.
The Charleston Courier, of the I'd, says
an officer of Sherman's army was in that
city taking initiative steps towards raising
a regiment of white troops.
A number of families who had removed
beyond the city limits have returned with
their household goods.
The Savannah Republican, of the ID, con-
tsins Governor Browns message, Of which
an extract has been published.
The Republican also contains rebel SC
count of Shermsn's occupation of Oolum-
bis, from the Augusta Co1sstitKtionaEist of
of Feb. 9th. 1t appears that the rebel
troops in large numbers left on the 18th in
the direction of Charlotte.
Governor McGrath left on the 18th for
the upper section of the stste. Besuregsrd
left the same day for Charlotte. Msjor
Goodwin sent the same day and surrender
ed the city to Sherman.
Public stores were thrown open, and ev-
erybody helped themselves. No stores
were burned.
Sherman's army entered Columbia in
the afternoon. They soon commenced de-
stroying public property. Depots and ar
sensls we're blown up, and buildings in the
suburbs containing public stores fred.
Late in the afternoon 8 pile of cotton in
the street, near the Oongsree House, took
fire from sparks, and the flames spread to
some wooden buildings which were near,
when 8 strong wind drove the flames down
both sides of the street. The scene became
terrific. Loud explosions continually filed
the air. The residences snd ground were
shaken as by an earthquake, and vast col
umns of smoke and flames arose to the
heavens. Nothing of any account was
saved.
Goods, provisions and furniture moved
to supposed places of security were burned
as the fire progressed. Distance burned
On Msin street, about two and half miles.
DR.. Reynolds house is the only one left
standing between the sections known as
the Cotton town and the Stste House.
Fire also extended blocks east of Main
street, destroying everything. Business
portion Of the city in ruins.
Both the hotels, the Guardian and Car
oLi1ian newspaper Offices, q number Of
churches, the Catholic seminary and sew
eral other public buildings, all the depots
the buildings ct Charlotte junction, Evans
& OogswelPs printing establishment, are
al burned.
All the cara, engines and railroads which
me rebels did not remove, are destroyed.
Only three churches are left standing
the Catholic, Rpiscopalian and Presbyte
Fian.
The Female College was uniniured anG
Is now occupied by houseless women snC
children.
The old State House was blown up tn,
new State House was not touched, it con
tanning statue of Washington. Wad,
Hampton's house was saved by Fedora
officers. General Preston's house was ais
saved and given to the occupants of tn
Catholic Seminary, whose property Wa
accidentally destroyed.
Railroads about Columbia are all torn ur
and AL the bridges leading to the plsc
destroyed. The country around the plsc
is stripped Of all eatsbles and transports
ton. All horses and carriages in the cit,
are taken. Citizens are said to be in YER
destitute condition. Unless some relief
obtained soon, there will be q great deal O
suffering and many deaths from starvation
Some rs miles of the GreenVille Rsilros,
had been previously destroyed BY tn
| frsshet, Much damage hsd also been don
the road BY the enemy.