Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-03-15
THE LATEST NEWS.
From Shernaa.

The LATEST NEWS.
From Sherman. : =
The latest report We have received of Gen. Shef-
mans whereabouts is that he WAS as Rockingham,
Richmond county, N. G.. -,s.s+ IS
There were no other rumors than those We haSe
already given concerning his destination, &c.
His force is said to consist of the 10Th, 17h 20th
and 24th corps, BESIDES Kilpatrick's cavalry-in
all, about go 600 men. =
The Burning and Evacuation Of Colambia.
From the Charlotte papers Of 7th We collate khe
following facts concerning the burning and evac,a
of Columbia.
Anterior to the evacuation, which began on Non.
day. Feb. 18th, Anys the osFUssstas ordess Sssss
issued by commanding officers to their subordinates
and the people "to stay where you are." But on
that day, the enemy having pressed forward within
twelve mills of the city. the evacuation began and
was conducted with despatch and diligence up
to Thursday evening, when the last of our troops
retired. Notwithstanding all the stores could not
be removed, and hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of goods, &C., were destroyed, or distributed to
the people and soldiers or plsged by Wheeler's
cavalry. On Thursday the enemy we're within sight
Of tho city and threw several shells into it,
killing, It is said, one or two citizens. The same
day the cotton was piled and fred, and Wheeler's
cavalry riding into town dismounted and began
:heir work of plunder. Some of their squads were
dispersed, but, nevertheless the work Of rohbing
continued. As the troops retreated the cotton and
the bridges over the Congaree were fred and on Fri
day the enemy marched into town, having thrown
pontoon bridge across the river. In front of their
column, which was led by the 18th corps, was
carriage decorated with the banners of the q. S.
army; and finally the whole force marched up Main
street towards the capitol and halted. There they
displayed the stars and stripes upon the capitol,
amid many demonstrations Of joy and victory. The
troops remained in the street for hours, but soon
began pillagng the houses and stores contiguous to
their lines. Much property and many vsluabes
were taken from the citizens, and although force
was said to have been used in many instances and
harsh acts perpetrated the informant of the Caro-
hnian observed none personally. In the afternoon
the Yankee troops quartered in the vacant lots
and public grounds of the city.
Not long after the enemy entered the cotton on
Washington and Lady streets was fired, and the
Jail also, which was used as Confederate prison.
The culprits were released and among them was q
| yankee prisoner, who is said to have married i'm
mediately afterwards one of tho bellies of Colum.
| .bia The wind being high. and sonse-of the yan.
kee soldiers intoxicated, the flames were spread
with great rapidity, and Notwithstanding the ef
forts of the fire companies, whole blocks were soon
enveloped by the devouring element The air was
filled with cinders and some of the streets were i'm
passible. The old capitol was burned, the Ursuline
convent, government works, South. Carolina depot,
together with hundreds of other houses of all sizes
and character. Between 4 and 5000 citizens wer,
turned out Of house and home, and many of tn,
Yankees, being intoxicated were consumed in tht
flames. The Carolinian Office was also destroyed
and the new capitol injured some. The citizens re
tired to the woods and public grounds, and thei
moveables, which they saved, were plunde:ed in
great degree. Gen. Sherman was forced by tn
flames to remove his Headquarters three times dur
ing the conhsgration.
We cannot deplore this loss too much Sad, sa,
indeed must be the spectacle exhibited by th
charred and smouldering remains ola once thrivin
and beautiful city. How cruel is the fate visite
|
city such a scene of devastation and horror
When Sherman lett some strag glers remained
who were captured by the citizens. About 2O
foreigners and Northerners are said to have gon
with him. He left or 600 beef cattle to reliev
the wants Of the citizens.
Some white flags were displayed, but the Yank ee
paid but little respect to them.
While moving ammunition from the arsenal mag
azine ~ yankees were killed. and one of thei
officers said they had lost more men in and arount
Columbia than they had lost before during thei
whole campaign.
The people of South Carolina and Charlotte ar
making every effort to supply the wants of thei
distressed felow.citizens; and the sufferers wer
entertained in the houses of Columbia by thei
more fortunate neghbors after the conAagraton ha.
subsided. ...
From Winnsboro', 8. c., and Monroe, N. c.
, j. E. Britton, Editor of the Times, at the forme
place, mskes statement in the Charlotte paper
much similar to the account Of the foregoing catas
trophe at Columbia, and appeals for aid to the suf
ferers at Winnsboro'.
A party of thirty five yankee foragers dashed in
to Monroe on Wednesday, March 1st, remaine
about hour and left, carrying off all the horses
and mules they could gather up. A train Of wagons
ten in number, belonging to party Of refugee
from Chester District had just reached the vag
and were standing in the street when the yankee
appeared OF course the train was seized, an,
horses mules, and wagons with their contents, an,
10 negro men, were carried of. Thirteen of th
negroes escaped from the enemy and returned 4
Monroe the same night The loss is . heavy on
to the unfortunate refugees. 49,
No buildings were burnt in the villsge-not eve'
the Court House and Jail were injured-bu: tn
enemy seized whatever they wanted and carried i
off, Two couriers (sent out from Charlotte station
ed at Monroe, were captured Charley Brem ant
Marshall JONES'
From Eastern Carolina.