The New York herald., 1865-03-11
REBEL ACCOUNTS.
The Evacuation OF Columbia.

LETTER FROM FELIX @. DE FoNTAINE, EDITOR OF
THE COLUMBIA SOUTH CARoLINIAN.
Correspondence of the Richmond Whig, March ~
CHARLOTTE, Feb. 22, 1858
Time has sufficiently quieed nerves and restored
healthy circulation to enable TO narrate consistent
story of the roubous hours through which OF Colum
bia have been led during the past week.
sudden as surprising it found all unprcparcd for the
events which followed, and few cool enough in the
crisis to yield to any other than the bent Of the first
impulse Hence hundreds today exiles from home
who would give almost their all to be safely back They
have learned that bcirg refugee don't pay.
Orangeburg and Kingsville were supposed to be the
highest points norhward that line al which Sherman
would strike. The people who planned his campaign
Chcraw and Fayetteville leaving Columbia untouched
Four days dispeled the illusion. Our troops fell back
until the sounds Of cannon reverbratcd through the city
Then public officers for the first time began to think Of
removing the government stores. The instructions from
Richmond had left many Of them no other discretion
Of the day Everybody, public and private wanted a
Tho President Of the Charlotte and South Caro-
lima Railroad, Colonel William Johnston, his assist,
ants Captain Sharp the agent Of transportation, and
his aids, bent their energies to the Hercuean task
before them, and accomplished all that men could do
The from the South Carolina and Greenvlle roads
were run,upon the Charlotte track filed and hurried
away to return and fll again. Engines shrieked their
signal notes morning noon and night The activity was
ceasees The depots crowded with goods OF every
description Passenger trains were thronged ladies and
families in their fright undergoing the most grevous tor
mcnts Of travel to escape from what they believed was
doomed city. The city resounded with the rumble of =
thousand wheels all bearing their freight TO the grand
FUNNEL out OF which IL De dlSchRrged Horses,
wagons that could aid in the removal
OF property brought into requson, and between
force and persuasion an immense amount Of labor was
systematically, rapidly and judiciously employed.
BY Wednesday night the tide was at its height. The
enemy within three miles TIE lite army in their
front had given back step by step until fanked out of
the fortcations on the opposite side Of the Congarec
they retired to the limits OF the city ITSELF where line
Of battle again reformed Three four Shells thrown
at the bridge increased the popular agitation until be-
came fever. The stores were closed Militia and de-
tailed men were at the front Army trains began to
minds OF ali that Columbia must inevitably be
evacuated Few slept soundy in their beds during the
night that followed.
Thursday, the I5th the enemy opened on the city
with shells Some damage was done, but few casu-
altes reported Ono gentleman only is said to have
Cdronian Office together with private residences,
were paid an iron compliment and the in
a.s ass e se ss s ns work 1S Of
mova went bravely forward, and vast amount was &C
and hundreds OF thousands OF dollars worth OF public
and private properly remained IN and about the depot
a prey to the Yankee torch and pilferer
The worst feature Of the entire occurred on the
day Of which write party OF wheelers cavalry, ac
3mpancd by their officers, dashed into town. tied their
tanev proceeded break into the stores along Main
street and rob them OF their contents detachment Of
ed e or saa @ snohar
Ger, drew swords and pistols another party and sue
ceeded in clearing several but the valiant
raiders still swarned like ocusts, and to-day hundred
miles away from Columbia you men smoking
the cigars and wearing their saddles the elegant cloths
stolen from the merchants Of that city 1t Is said that
tro Of The "cdrGivy drew pistols on General Hampton,
who was attempting to protect store and threatened
his life.
people would rather te Yankee old Satan him
~, han party Of NE aforesaid Whectas clrog. The
barbares committed by some OF them are represented
TO be frighfu, life liberty and tho pursuit of happi
ness being perfectly incompatible with their presence
What transpircd On Friday do not, from personal
observation, know The city was evacuated cotton
burned having been previously piled IN different locai-
ties for The purpose and the enemy marched in. Since
that time the real condition Of affairs in Columbia Is as
sealed book Large fires reported; and, among
Others Yankee pickes state that thc elegant mansions
of Hon. Mr. Trenholm, General John s. Preston and
General Hampton are destroyed The western portion o
the city said to be In ashes resulting from the ign
ton Of Keatng Balls Confederate note establishment
from which the flames spread throrgh the most elegant
portion OF the city 10 the Charlotte depot These state
ments not reliable.
Common rumor says that shcrman's treatment Of clt
zens and private property was iormfy isiir and en-
cihiory His headquarters were at Nckcrson'f Hotel
The up the railroad may be briefly described.
Crowds every depot seeking temporary shelter
getting on, moro getting on twenty trains laundering
along after the other in quick succession; screaming
locomotives, crying babies fearful women, families
travelling In box cars among piles Of bacon, SALT band
boxes, trunks and bed clothes; n break down near
winnsboro; engine on the track; ten hours delay;
my reported coming; moro CONSERVATION; long night,
wood wntcr no breakfast ten carloads OF ladies OF
the Treasury Department IN most unattracve morn
ing dS.dbiVe, with hair unkept and hollow,
sleepy eyes slipping about In the red mucilaginous mud
or twelve carloads OF Yankee prisoners just ahead
likewise at dead halt; the guards around their camp
fires and the individuals OF cergilean aspect singing
with tremendous energy Union songs; stil ahead tic
secton masters and ,rack layers with gang Of aborers
repairing the road and holding pot nortem consultations
over the remains Of deserted cngne-nnay,
run back three miles miles a 9lag Ghs,jo Of @sss 1ss,,
an avalanche upon the good people, appeal "a
hospitality which is most warmly Needed and gradual
simmerng down Of all the clements ~ agitation Such
in BRIEF Is the history OF our evacuation Of Columbia
y. @. De r.